A large part of Switzerland was crossed this Saturday, June 29, 2024 and in the night that followed by violent storms accompanied by very heavy precipitation. Overflows of the Rhone and its tributaries, swollen by torrential rains and melting snow, forced the evacuation of several hundred people and the closure of many roads, reports Agence France-Presse.
The situation is particularly difficult in the canton of Ticino, in the south-east of the country. A mudslide notably occurred in the Fontana region, according to a press release from the local police cited by the Swiss media RTS . Several people are missing in the Maggia Valley. Rescue operations are particularly difficult due to bad weather conditions. The authorities have not yet given further details.
Read also: Thunderstorms: end of orange alert for all departments
Several isolated valleys, a bridge washed away
According to the site, “The bad weather caused the flow of the Maggia River to increase from 25 cubic metres per second to 2,000”. The top of the Maggia valley was isolated this Sunday, June 30. Roads are cut and campsites along the river have been evacuated. A bridge also collapsed in Cevio, according to RSI info blocking the cantonal road.
Other nearby valleys are no longer accessible and the electricity has been cut, adds the AFP. “Several hundred people were evacuated” after the Rhône overflowed in different places, notably between Rarogne and Gampel or even in Chippis and Sierre, underline the civil security services of the canton of Valais in a press release. “There have been overflows and torrential lava (mud and rock flows, editor’s note) along lateral watercourses”notably forcing the closure to traffic of the Simplon pass road, a major artery for international but also cantonal traffic.
In Zermatt, Visp once again got out of bed, according to images broadcast on the social network X during the night. We see the muddy waters rushing down the streets of this famous mountain resort at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Severe thunderstorms last weekend
Heavy rains had already caused flooding in the same places in the city on June 21. Road access from Täsch is also closed. Rail traffic is also disrupted in part of the canton.
Switzerland had already experienced violent storms and exceptional rainfall last weekend, killing at least one person and causing significant damage in the south-east of its territory. Massive storms and rainfall notably led to landslides on the evening of June 21 in the Misox valley, in southeastern Switzerland. Repair work on the A13 motorway between Lostallo and Soazza had to be carried out.
