Heavy rain - Landslide and continued risk of severe weather in Switzerland
In the Swiss cantons of Graubünden and Tessin, it has rained heavily for the third consecutive weekend. In Southern Tessin, the access road to the Valle di Muggio valley was covered by a landslide, as reported by the Mendrisio Fire Department. They have no information about missing or injured persons. In the valley near the Italian border, there are nine small villages.
For Tessin and Graubünden, the danger level is still three out of five as of this evening. Authorities urge people to stay away from waters and steep slopes and not to go to basements that could flood quickly.
One week ago, in the Maggiatal region of Tessin, six people were killed by landslides and floods caused by dammed mountain rivers. Among the dead were three women from Baden-Württemberg. Two weeks ago, in Graubünden's Misox valley, four people were swept away by water masses. Only one was rescued alive. So far, the authorities have reported no further disasters.
In Southern Tessin, at the Italian border, 110 millimeters of rain fell in 24 hours, 48 millimeters of which fell within two hours, according to MeteoSwiss. The rain is supposed to ease tonight. Heavy rain also fell in Graubünden.
People evacuated by helicopter
In the Maggiatal region, rescue teams evacuated nine people by helicopter out of caution before the new rain. Others went to relatives and friends before the access roads to the Bavonatal valley were closed. Some people reportedly refused to leave their houses, although they were in risk zones for landslides.
The recently reopened one-lane A13 North-South Autobahn in Graubünden held up against the rain. Water masses had buried and carried away a part of the roadway two weeks ago. The Federal Roads Agency has rebuilt and reopened the important connection for both tourists and locals in record time.
Damage in millions - Bridge collapsed
In Tessin, a bridge between Visletto and Cevio was partially destroyed by last weekend's storms. Several villages in the Maggiatal valley can no longer be reached by car as a result.
- Despite the heavy rain in Locarno, a popular tourist destination in Ticino, the weather has not yet posed a significant threat.
- The Grisons, another Swiss canton, also experienced heavy rain, adding to the overall weather-related concerns in the country.
- The Storm in Locarno and other parts of Ticino has increased the risk of severe weather, prompting the Fire department to issue warnings.
- Flooding is a significant concern in several areas of Ticino and Graubünden, as rivers swell due to the continuous rainfall.
- In response to the increase in Landslides and flooding, authorities have advised people in these areas to avoid steep slopes and not to seek shelter in basements that could flood quickly.
- The recent weather events in Ticino and Graubünden have brought attention to the potential risks of living near mountainous regions, emphasizing the need for careful planning and precautions to mitigate these hazards.
