Switzerland - Several people missing after landslide - search operation underway
After a landslide in the southern Swiss canton of Tessin, several people are reported missing. According to the police, a heavy storm hit Maggiatal in the night to Sunday. The landslide occurred in Fontana, they said.
Swiss communication network and power supply temporarily disrupted
The search for the missing people in Fontana was made more difficult by the bad weather conditions. Several elderly people were not reachable on land roads. Along the Maggia river, camping sites were evacuated. In the most affected area, communication networks and power supply were disrupted. According to Meteonews weather service, around 200 liters of rain per square meter fell in the upper Maggiatal over the weekend. Due to the bad weather, the drinking water was contaminated in this area.
In the canton of Valais, the Rhone river overflowed at several points due to the heavy storms since Saturday afternoon. Flooding also occurred at the tributaries.
- Despite the challenging weather situation in Ticino on Sunday, a large-scale search operation was initiated in Fontana, the area affected by the landslide in Switzerland.
- The police are urging people to avoid the area near Fontana due to the ongoing landslide and the potential dangers posed by the subsequent thunderstorm.
- Many locals in Ticco planned their weekend getaway at the riverside camping sites in Maggiatal, but their plans were disrupted by the heavy rains and the subsequent landslide.
- The weather service in Switzerland reported a landslide-inducing downpour of around 200 liters of rain per square meter over the weekend in the affected region, including Fontana.
- Authorities in Ticino have advised residents to stock up on essential supplies and stay indoors as the police continue their search operations and monitor the weather situation in Switzerland.
