Storms, sometimes violent, were expected on Saturday evening in western and northwestern Switzerland, but also in Valais and Ticino. In the Alps, the Simplon Pass is closed until further notice due to a torrential lava. Several cantons have issued warnings of rain, lightning, hail and gusts of wind, but also floods.
Early Saturday evening, WeatherSwitzerland had already announced more than 10,000 lightning strikes on X. Most of them were recorded over the canton of Valais and the Bernese Alps. Lightning strikes were significantly less numerous in the Lake Geneva region and southern Ticino.
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The cantons of Geneva and Vaud have banned outdoor events planned for the afternoon and evening, including fan zones where supporters wanted to watch the Euro football match between Switzerland and Italy. Lausanne swimming pools were closed from 2 p.m.
It was also “strongly advised not to” navigate in the Upper Lake Geneva area. Particular attention was also paid to the flow of the Rhône, the alert threshold of which was raised to 4 out of 5.
>> Also read: An “explosive meteorological cocktail” expected on Saturday in French-speaking Switzerland, MétéoSwiss alert
Flood alert in Valais
Due to the violent storms that broke out in the afternoon in Valais, this canton has raised its flood alert level. According to the Cantonal Management Body (OCC), the Rhone and its tributaries on the left bank represent a particular danger. The bad weather risks causing “overflows and torrential lava along the lateral watercourses.”
The Valais authorities have called for people to limit their travel, not to stay near waterways and not to park on bridges. Similarly, in order not to put themselves in danger, the population has been urged to refrain from filming and photographing the floods.
The regions particularly affected are Entremont, Val d’Hérens, Val d’Anniviers, Mattertal, Conches Valley, Binntal and the Simplon region, the State of Valais indicated. Other regions could also be affected. Chablais should be relatively spared.
>> Read also: Wave of cancellations of events in French-speaking Switzerland as storm approaches
Closed collars
The Nufenen Pass – which connects Haut-Valais to the Ticino Bedretto valley – has been closed since Saturday afternoon. According to police information, a landslide occurred.
The Simplon pass, between Brig (VS) and Italy, had to be closed until further notice because of torrential lava which poured onto the pass road at the height of the Engi gallery, located north of Simplon Dorf. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) indicated in the evening that materials continue to spill and that an assessment of the damage will not be possible until Sunday morning at the earliest.
In the evening, the main road Andermatt-Brig (VS) had to be closed in both directions at the Furka Pass due to rockfall, announced the TCS and FEDRO. This measure is valid until further notice.
In addition, certain access points to valley bottoms (Moiry, Dixence, Haut val de Bagnes, val Ferret, Turtmanntal and Conches) were under continuous surveillance.
>> Cécile Durring’s explanations:
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