Situation in Switzerland stable despite heavy rainfall
Published: Sunday, Jul 7th 2024, 13:00
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Despite heavy rainfall, the situation in Switzerland remained stable on Sunday night. Although some damage was reported, according to the authorities, the cantons most affected by the intense rain - Ticino, Valais and Graubünden - got off lightly.
The Valle di Muggio in southern Ticino was cut off from the outside world due to a landslide caused by heavy rainfall. The Medrisio fire department confirmed to the Keystone-SDA news agency that the road above the village of Caneggio was blocked due to the landslide.
The Ticino cantonal police also warned on Platform X of impassable roads in the Mendrisiotto region. Alertswiss also warned of flooded roads and cellars in Mendrisiotto.
According to the TCS traffic service, the main road between Zernez GR and Susch GR was also closed on Sunday due to flooding.
Risk of rain until Sunday evening
The rain warnings of danger level 3 (considerable danger) on the southern side of the Alps, in the Engadine and in the central Grisons will remain in place until Sunday evening, according to the natural hazard bulletin on Sunday. In southern Ticino, a further 30 to 60 liters of rain per square meter were expected on Sunday, elsewhere mostly 20 to 40 liters per square meter.
Until the danger level is lifted by the Federal Office of Meteorology (MeteoSwiss), the residents evacuated from the Bavona Valley in Ticino will not be able to return, as the Ticino emergency staff informed the Keystone-SDA news agency on Sunday morning.
Flood alert lifted in Valais
However, there were already signs that the flood situation in Valais was easing. The Valais management body lifted the flood alert for the Rhone and its tributaries on Sunday. The levels had stabilized, according to the cantonal management body (KFO). According to MeteoSwiss, flood danger level 3 was still in force for the Rhone on Sunday.
The railroad line between Fiesch and Oberwald in Valais, which has been interrupted since Monday due to storm damage, has also been repaired. Trains will be running again from Monday, as the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway announced on X on Sunday.
Risk of flooding in the Alps continues
The risk of flooding persisted in the Alps. The federal government expected a further increase in the discharge of the Alpine Rhine, Inn and Ticino rivers due to the further predicted precipitation and melting snow, as stated in the natural hazard bulletin on Sunday.
Flood danger level 4 (major danger) has been in force for the Inn since Saturday evening. Danger level 4 is also still in force for Lake Constance.
According to MeteoSwiss, the heaviest rainfall up to Sunday morning was recorded in southern Ticino with 70 to 150 liters per square meter. Locally, almost 60 liters per square meter fell in one hour, according to the natural hazards bulletin. Significantly less precipitation fell in northwestern Ticino with 20 to 50 liters per square meter. On the rest of the southern side of the Alps and in the Upper Engadine, mostly between 50 and 100 liters per square meter were recorded, in central Grisons between 20 and 45 liters per square meter.
©Keystone/SDA
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