In a stark warning from the Swiss government, recent extreme weather events have highlighted the increasing risk of natural disasters in Switzerland. Severe weather has resulted in significant infrastructure damage and claimed at least four lives, raising serious concerns about the country's ability to withstand future storms.
Swiss Federal Council member Ignazio Cassis voiced his apprehensions on Sunday, questioning whether Switzerland is facing a new norm of recurring catastrophes every summer. "Are we going to experience one catastrophe after another every summer? Or is this an exception? Nobody knows. But certainly, the accumulation of such events worries us and shows how vulnerable we are," Cassis remarked.
The recent spate of natural disasters began with a devastating landslide in the Maggia Valley, where local authorities confirmed the deaths of three individuals. Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported that another body was discovered in the side valleys south of Rhone, adding to the tragic toll. Cassis delivered his warning while visiting Ticino, a canton severely impacted by heavy rain, flooding, and landslides.
In response to the extreme conditions, camping sites along the Maggia River were evacuated, and part of the Visletto road bridge collapsed. In the village of Binn, a 52-year-old man has been missing since Saturday evening, further amplifying the crisis.
The northern part of the country also faced significant challenges as the Rhone River burst its banks in several areas of Valais canton, flooding a highway and a railway line. Swiss President Viola Amherd took to social media platform X to address the situation, noting the "major" damage caused by the heavy storms and urging citizens to heed official instructions.
The head of Cantonal Police Ticino, Antonio Ciocco, indicated that the possibility of more victims in Ticino could not be ruled out, underscoring the ongoing danger posed by the severe weather.
Switzerland's plight mirrors that of neighboring European countries, which have also been battered by intense weather patterns. Researchers warn that such extreme weather events will become increasingly common and severe due to climate change. In northern Italy, for instance, firefighters conducted over 80 rescue operations amid floods, thunderstorms, and landslides, with at least 200 people evacuated from the town of Cogne.
As Switzerland grapples with these challenges, the government's urgent warnings and the visible impact of climate change serve as a crucial reminder of the need for enhanced preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Source: Euronews