Valais estimates storm damage for canton at 125 million francs
Published: Wednesday, Sep 4th 2024, 16:00
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According to initial estimates, the damage caused by the storms in June and July amounted to around CHF 125 million for the canton of Valais. The costs relate to the tributaries and the Rhone, the road network and damage to agricultural land and forests.
The urgent expenditure will be approved as a credit overrun in the 2024 accounts, as announced by the canton of Valais on Wednesday. In order to be able to help individuals, the Commission for the Administration of the Relief Fund (KVH) is working together with the aid organizations, it said. To this end, a donation request form will be sent to the municipalities in the next few days.
In the event of uninsurable damage, the Swiss Fund is the first point of contact. For its part, the canton of Valais provides supportive assistance based on the criteria of the Swiss Fund.
The canton also intends to provide additional support in certain cases involving uninsurable damage. It also wants to examine how the state can help people in precarious situations.
The canton has also introduced a fast-track processing system for applications for short-time working, the press release continues. A total of 47 applications were received, affecting around 1,500 employees.
Floods and landslides
At the end of June and beginning of July, severe storms hit the canton of Valais as well as Ticino and Misox GR. In Sierre VS and Chippis VS, the Rhone flooded a large industrial area. Rivers and torrents also burst their banks in several side valleys of the Rhone.
Landslides and mudslides fell and caused extensive damage to roads and buildings. One man died in Saas-Grund and one person has been missing in the Binn region ever since.
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