Matters in Switzerland: floods, landslides and rescues

The weather has not only made its own at Paléo. The weekend was particularly agitated on the northern slope of the Alps. Diluvian rains have caused river overflows in the canton of glaris, flooding cellars and garages. In Argovie, the firefighters were overwhelmed by interventions after 160 reports in three hours, between the floods of basements and torn trees. The situation was also tense in Bernese Oberland, Central Switzerland and Toggenburg, with a vigilance noted at level 4 in several regions.

On the shores of Lake Uri, a mud flow damaged the infrastructures of the axenstrasse, resulting in the automatic road closure through the security system. The threat of new flat landslides, and stone blocks remain unstable. The situation is critical enough for the federal authorities to extend the closure of the road until Monday noon.

But it was in Valais, in the SaaS valley, that the emergency services had to release the big game. At more than 4,000 meters above sea level, two mountaineers were trapped by bad weather. The intervention turned to the expedition: six rescuers had to climb the mountain at night, in the fog, to bring them back safe. A perilous operation made even more difficult by a snowstorm.

The weather has not said its last word. Until Tuesday morning, Météosuisse maintains a high level alert on several cantons. Intense rains and the risks of landslides call for the greatest caution.