Sometimes violent thunderstorms were expected at the end of the day on Saturday in the west and north-west of Switzerland, but also in Valais and Ticino. Several cantons have issued warnings for rain, lightning, hail and gusts of wind, but also floods.
By early Saturday evening, MeteoSwiss was already reporting more than 10,000 lightning strikes on X. Most of them were recorded over the canton of Valais and the Bernese Alps. There were significantly fewer lightning strikes in the Lake Geneva region and southern Ticino.
The cantons of Geneva and Vaud banned open-air events planned for the afternoon and evening, in particular the fan zones in which supporters wanted to follow the Euro football match between Switzerland and Italy . The Lausanne swimming pools were closed from 2 p.m.
It was also “strongly discouraged” to sail in the Haut Lac Léman sector. Particular attention was also paid to the flow of the Rhône, the alert threshold of which was raised to 4 out of 5.
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 concerned are Entremont, the Val d’Hérens, the Val d’Anniviers, the Mattertal, the Goms valley, the Binntal and the Simplon region, indicated the State of Valais. Other regions could also be affected. Chablais should be relatively spared.
Closed collars
The Nufenen Pass – which connects the Upper Valais with the Bedretto Valley in Ticino – has been closed since Saturday afternoon. According to police information, a landslide has occurred.
The Simplon Pass between Brig (VS) and Italy had to be closed until further notice due to torrential lava that flowed onto the pass road at the Engi gallery, located north of Simplon Dorf. The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) announced in the evening that material is continuing to flow 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 rockfalls, TCS and FEDRO announced. 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.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have also been published on Alertswiss for the cantons of Neuchâtel, Jura, Ticino, Aargau, Solothurn, Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt. The population was urged to avoid forests, trees and open lands. Water flows had to be kept free and movable objects such as garden furniture and potted plants secured.
In eastern Switzerland, pedestrian paths and cycle paths were closed on Saturday evening in the foothills of the Rhine due to the expected rise in water levels. It was not recommended to stay near the river. In addition to heavy rains, meltwater could also raise the level of the Rhine.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
