Floods in Switzerland: Residents and tourists on high alert

ADVERTISING

Persistent rainfall, melting snow and waterlogged soils have led to severe flooding in the Swiss canton of Valais.

The popular tourist resort of Zermatt, near the famous Matterhorn, experienced serious disruptions on Friday when the Mattervispa river partially overflowed its banks and cut off the mountain village from the outside world.

The Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway stopped operating and Zermatt was no longer accessible since midday.

The Valais authorities are particularly concerned about the Rhone and its tributaries, which are threatening to overflow their banks.

Authorities declare high alert level

The water level of the Rhone has been high since the morning and is expected to peak late in the evening, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides.

In response, local authorities have raised the alert level for the entire canton to the high alert level, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and emergency response preparation.

In the municipality of Chippis, around 30 residents were evacuated as a precaution. These evacuees spent the night in the municipality’s gymnasium, according to the mayor.

In addition, the Swiss federal authorities have increased the danger level for parts of Valais to the second highest level 4.

Restrictions all weekend long

Residents and visitors have been advised to avoid waterways, not to park on bridges and to limit movement near the affected areas. For safety reasons, filming or photographing the storm events is not recommended.

Train services between Visp and Zermatt have been suspended. Replacement buses are running between Visp and Täsch to accommodate stranded passengers.

In Zermatt, the Vispa River burst its banks on Friday morning, forcing schools to close. Authorities have been on high alert since the early hours of the morning, and local media are reporting extensive preparations to contain the flood risk.

Due to the risk of flooding, the banks of the Rhone and its tributaries are closed to the public this weekend.

This restriction will apply from Friday until Monday evening as the flood protection authority of the canton of Valais is closely monitoring the situation. The river’s water level is expected to continue to rise until it reaches its peak later on Friday.

While the entire region is on high alert, local and federal authorities are working hard to contain the impact of the floods and ensure the safety of residents and tourists.