- Meter-high debris in the Swiss town of Brienz after a storm
In a part of the Swiss village of Brienz in the holiday region of Brienzersee, meter-high piles of debris litter the streets following a severe storm. The heavy rain on Monday evening flushed wood and debris into the Mühlebach, blocking its flow. The stream overflowed, carrying rocks and tree trunks through the village. In the district of Aenderdorf, houses were buried by mudslides, windows and doors were damaged, and lower floors were flooded. Some cars were swept away by the debris flow.
The approximately 500 residents of this picturesque village on the Brienzersee are in shock. Miraculously, there were no casualties. Authorities had evacuated around 70 residents before the storm. "It's unimaginable what could have happened if we hadn't had the flood protection measures we've built in recent years," said Peter Zumbrunn, president of the municipal council.
Catchment basin for debris not sufficient
Just a few years ago, a catchment basin for debris from the mountain had been built above the village. However, it filled up quickly. According to Meteoswiss, the weather service, the region received a third of the average August rainfall in just one hour, with local radar estimates reaching up to 80 millimeters. This caused debris and mud to flow into the streets, blocking the main road and railway tracks. Replacement buses were in operation.
After days of intense heat, with temperatures reaching 35°C or more, over 70,000 lightning strikes hit Switzerland on Monday evening, causing floods, landslides, and mudslides. Several thunderstorms developed around the Brienzersee, causing heavy rain and moving slowly.
Problems also in Grindelwald and at Vierwaldstättersee
Other parts of the Bernese Oberland and canton of Bern also experienced storms and hail. In the Grindelwald valley, mudslides blocked roads and the railway line, making the holiday resort of Grindelwald accessible only by detours.
The Bernese Building Insurance Company (GVB) estimated damages in the Bernese Oberland at 25 to 30 million Swiss francs (up to around 31 million euros). They received around 200 damage reports within a few hours.
The Holiday region of Brienzersee, where the village of Brienz is located, experienced significant damage from debris following a severe storm. Despite the debris catchment basin constructed a few years ago, it proved insufficient due to the excessive rainfall, leading to blockages in the streets and main road.
