The village of Brienz (GR), threatened by a new landslide, must be evacuated by Sunday at 1:00 p.m., municipal authorities indicated on Tuesday. 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. The area has been placed in “orange phase”. The residents (around 80) should expect not to be able to return to the village for several months, said the municipal authorities.
By Sunday at 1:00 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.
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Unstable mass
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 which caused the big landslide of June 16, 2023, according to experts. This time it could reach the village and no longer stop just before the houses like last year.
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.
Emergency aid of 500,000 francs
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.
For its part, the government of the canton of Graubünden assures the residents and municipal authorities of Brienz of its full support “in this difficult situation”. The executive has released emergency aid of 500,000 francs which should notably make it possible to cover accommodation and moving costs, he said in a press release.
Drainage gallery
Construction work on a drainage gallery continues. Experts hope this system will slow or stop the slide of the village and the mountain. If this fails, the village will not be habitable in the long term.
It is also a question of ensuring the long-term security of the Albula railway line, the Albula and Julier Pass roads and various infrastructures, underlines the government. A preventive plan for the resettlement of residents is planned in the event that part, or even all, of the inhabitants should be forced to leave the village permanently, assures the cantonal executive.
On May 12, 2023, the 84 residents of Brienz were evacuated for the first time. On the night of June 16, 2023, 1.2 million cubic meters of rock broke away from the mountain. The mass of rocks stopped just before the village. Residents were able to return home at the beginning of July.
ats/lia
