Severe Weather Causes Devastation in France, Switzerland, and Italy
Catastrophic Impact and Rescue Efforts
At least seven people have died and several others are missing following violent thunderstorms, storms, and torrential rains that swept across France, Switzerland, and northern Italy. The severe weather caused considerable material damage, including mudslides, raging rivers, and floods.
In France's Aube department, three elderly individuals lost their lives when a tree fell on their car. A fourth passenger was critically injured. In Switzerland, four people died and two are missing. Ticino, in the southeast, experienced a landslide that killed three people, with one person still unaccounted for. In Valais, a man was found dead in a hotel, likely caught off guard by the rapid rise in water levels.
The situation in Switzerland is particularly dire. In Ticino, about 400 people, including 40 children from a holiday camp, had to be evacuated to civil protection shelters. The Val Maggia and its side valleys are accessible only by air after a bridge collapse. All communications, electricity, and drinking water are cut off in the region. The head of Swiss diplomacy, Ignazio Cassis, expressed deep concern over the repetition of such catastrophic events.
In northern Italy, the regions of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley also faced severe flooding and mudslides. In Cogne, around 200 people were evacuated by helicopter after the only connecting road was damaged. Significant damage occurred in Cervinia, where shops were flooded, and in Antey-Saint-André, where a campsite was evacuated. About thirty hikers were stranded in shelters at the foot of Monte Rosa due to the bad weather.
Italian authorities are actively working to restore services and ensure the safety of affected residents. Governor Cirio of Piedmont is ready to request a state of emergency, highlighting the severe impact on the region.
The overall situation remains fragile, with ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the storms and prevent further damage. The affected areas are working tirelessly to recover and provide support to those impacted by this natural disaster.
- In the Aosta Valley, technical inspections are underway to assess the damage and plan necessary interventions. The regional administration is focused on restoring essential services such as electricity and water supply.
- In Piedmont, the flooding of the Marmore torrent caused extensive damage in Cervinia, and efforts are being made to clear roads and restore access to isolated areas. The local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating rescue operations.
- Swiss authorities have declared the situation in Valais as 'dramatic,' with road access to certain villages cut off and significant damage caused by torrential lava and mudflows. Efforts are being made to provide relief and support to the affected communities.
- The severe weather has also led to the evacuation of several hundred people in southwestern Switzerland due to the overflow of the Rhône and its tributaries. The situation is gradually coming under control, but the context remains fragile, and authorities are on high alert.
