The village of Brienz, in Graubünden, must be evacuated by Sunday at 1 p.m., municipal authorities said on Monday. Only residents are allowed to be in the village until the evacuation. The evacuation order was decided by the municipal authorities on the recommendation of the municipal management staff. Residents should expect not to be able to return to the village for several months, municipal authorities said.
By Sunday at 1 p.m., all residents and animals must have evacuated the village. For security reasons, it is forbidden to enter the village. Flying over the area, including by drones, is prohibited.
A feared rock avalanche
Up to 1.2 million cubic meters of rock threaten to fall on the village. This unstable mass whose movement is accelerating significantly turns out to be much wetter than that at the origin of the last major alert of June 16, 2023, according to experts. This time, it could reach the village and no longer stop just before the houses like 18 months ago.
According to geologists, a landslide as far as the village is not excluded. Such an avalanche of stones and rocks could reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. It could partially or totally destroy the village,
Only residents and owners of second homes still authorized
On Tuesday, municipal authorities moved the area into “orange phase”. Access roads to Brienz are closed. Only residents and those who own a second home in the village can access it.
Municipal authorities have announced that they will help residents find accommodation for the duration of the evacuation. People in the region who are ready to accommodate evacuees are asked to notify themselves at the municipal chancellery.
