After a devastating weekend of storms, heavy rain is threatening the Swiss canton of Ticino again. Authorities see a threat to life and are taking action.
According to the crisis team, new storms in the Swiss canton of Ticino could endanger human lives this weekend, which is why the authorities have ordered the evacuation of almost an entire valley.
Residents of the Bavona Valley, in the upper Maggia Valley, are now being flown out in helicopters, cantonal police said.
Three German holidaymakers died a week ago
A week ago, three German holidaymakers died in Fontana in the Bavona Valley. A landslide caused by devastating rainfall swept away their accommodation. Further down the valley, water from the Maggia River had caused part of a bridge to collapse. The Maggia flows into Lake Maggiore near Locarno.
The terrain in the Bavona Valley changed significantly last Friday due to the flooding of a small tributary of the Maggia. The tributary had swelled considerably and flooded the area. According to the cantonal police, it is now difficult to predict what will happen with new, even less intense rainfall. As a precaution, the crisis team therefore decided to bring almost all residents to safety. The access roads will then have to be closed.
An emergency room is being set up in Ascona
Police did not say how many people were affected or how many tourists might still be in the area. There are only a few small hamlets in the remote Bavona Valley. An emergency room is being set up in Ascona for people who cannot stay with friends or family.
An emergency room is being set up in Ascona
Police did not say how many people were affected or how many tourists might still be in the area. There are only a few small hamlets in the remote Bavona Valley. An emergency room is being set up in Ascona for people who cannot stay with friends or family.