reportage
As of: November 17, 2024 3:46 p.m
The residents of Brienz had to leave Brienz temporarily as early as 2023. Now they have to go again – probably for longer. 1.2 million cubic meters of rubble slides above the Swiss mountain village. How do the residents deal with it?
It's Saturday afternoon on a sunny café terrace in Lenzerheide, not far from Brienz: “I have to take a sip, can I?” asks Franziska Bötschi. She sips a Prosecco. Her 71 years of life are barely noticeable. Not a bit of gray in her dark, short hair – undyed, of course. “Yes, not a real Brienzer,” she says with a Swiss tongue.
Franziska was born and grew up in Brienz. She lives with her husband Rene on the edge of the village, directly under the rumbling mountain. Shortly before she had to leave her house for a long time, Franziska came to the neighboring town especially for our conversation. There has been an absolute ban on entry for people from outside Brienz for days. On the mountain, 1.2 million cubic meters of rubble are moving down the valley and threatening to destroy the mountain village.
“When the earth slides freshly, it is yellow”
The mountain comes when it wants. And we know the mountain well enough. But you know, you can see it slipping down every day. Because it always has yellow spots on the edges. When the earth is freshly sliding, it is completely yellow, and that is what you see. That's why: Something is coming, something is being done. One hundred percent.
Franziska Bötschi lives on the edge of the village of Brienz, directly under the rumbling mountain. Now she has to leave her house again
The geological early warning service also says this. For several weeks now, a so-called rubble heap has been sliding down by up to 35 centimeters per day. And in the worst case scenario, it could turn into a raging rock avalanche at speeds of 80 kilometers per hour or more.
A week ago, the people in the village were informed about the danger – at 7 a.m. via text message. Franziska remembers: “There were sounds, text messages, and again and again sounds.” She said to her husband: “What's going on? Is there a fire somewhere?” He said, “No.” I asked him what was wrong. “Our mountain is coming,” he answered.
Time of uncertainty
And once again Franziska and Rene have to leave the house and the village. Last year, the predicted rockslide landed just outside the village. After a few weeks they were able to return. But this time Franziska has to be prepared for a long wait. Until spring, the authorities say. “It’s harder to walk now,” says Franziska. “I've already cried today. When I hold the duvet under my arm, it's hard at first, but it's okay afterward.”
Visitors have been banned from entering the area for a long time, and all residents have now been taken out of the village.
“He only comes at night when everyone is asleep”
Like last year, Franziska and Rene stay with friends in the neighboring village. Now comes a long time of uncertainty and waiting. She still can't understand it, says Franziska. But, compared to the people who were surprised by floods in Spain, they are still doing well, she says.
She remains confident. “It – the mountain – is coming, that's for sure, there will be no discussions,” says Franziska. “But that he comes comfortably like last time. And that's it. Maybe he'll come again at night? I think so!” This is a special mountain, she says and laughs. “He only comes at night when everyone is asleep.”
