Ticino demands more support from the federal government after storms
Published: Thursday, Nov 21st 2024, 17:10
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The Ticino government is dissatisfied with the federal financial aid promised to date for the reconstruction of the Maggia Valley. It is calling for a meeting with the Federal Council and additional aid funds. The storm in Ticino was an "exceptional event".
"We are dissatisfied with the federal government's response regarding aid for the Maggia Valley," said Christian Vitta, President of the Ticino cantonal government, when asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The reconstruction of the completely destroyed Visletto Bridge alone, which connects the lower and upper Maggia Valley, will cost a great deal. According to reports, the federal government will contribute little or nothing to this project.
The Ticino government estimates that the reconstruction of the Maggia Valley, which was devastated by a severe storm, will cost around CHF 100 million.
"Extraordinary support required"
In order to obtain greater support, she is now calling for a meeting with the responsible federal councillors: "We have written to the departments of Albert Rösti and Guy Parmelin and asked for a meeting," Vitta continued. The aim is for the federal government to recognize that "extraordinary support" is needed.
The upper Maggia Valley was hit by a severe storm on June 29. At least seven people lost their lives in mudslides and landslides in the Maggia and Bavona valleys. One person is still missing.
At the end of July, the Swiss Armed Forces built a temporary replacement bridge for the Visletto Bridge near Cevio, which had been washed away by the floods. During the summer, members of the army spent a total of 3400 days on duty dealing with the severe storm damage in Ticino and Valais. There were also 87 flying hours.
©Keystone/SDA
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