Storms, sometimes violent, hit western and northwestern Switzerland on Saturday evening, as well as Valais and Ticino. In the Alps, the Simplon Pass is closed until further notice due to a torrential lava. On Sunday, the Rhone burst its banks in several places and people are missing in Ticino.
The cantons of Geneva and Vaud banned open-air events planned for the afternoon and evening on Saturday, in particular the fan zones in which supporters wanted to follow the Euro football match between Switzerland and Italy.
Lausanne swimming pools were closed from 2 p.m. Restrictions on outdoor events were also imposed elsewhere in French-speaking Switzerland.
>> Also read: An “explosive meteorological cocktail” expected on Saturday in French-speaking Switzerland, MétéoSwiss alert
>> Some images of the storms that hit the Vaud coast:
The Rhône is overflowing
A rapid rise in the level of the Rhone was underway on Sunday due to the heavy rainfall in the Upper Valais. The river burst its banks in several places and hundreds of people had to be evacuated. The alert concerns the region extending from Upper Valais to Riddes (VS), as well as from Chablais vaudois to the Upper Lake.
>> Read also: The Rhône overflows in Valais: evacuations underway, CFF traffic interrupted and motorway closed
The Valais authorities, for their part, have called for travel to be limited, not to stay near waterways and not to park on bridges. Likewise, to avoid putting themselves in danger, the population was 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.
>> 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.
On Saturday 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.
>> Cécile Durring’s explanations:
In Ticino, several people are missing in the Maggia Valley, in Ticino, after a landslide during the night from Saturday to Sunday. According to the cantonal police, the roads are cut and the campsites located along the river have been evacuated.
>> Read also: Several people missing in Ticino after landslide
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