Storm Landslide in the Saas Valley and flooding in other regions of Valais

Following a landslide, the cantonal road in the Saas Valley VS between Stalden and Saas-Almagell was closed on Thursday. The authorities warned of further flooding, bank collapses and debris flows in other regions of the canton due to the heavy rainfall.

The landslide occurred in the direction of Eisten and led to the closure of the road between Stalden and Saas-Balen. According to initial information, no one was injured in the debris flow. The section of road between Saas-Grund and Saas-Almagell was also interrupted.

Emergency services were on site to repair the road. It was initially not possible to predict when the road could be reopened.

In the Saas Valley, the Lehanbach and the Triftbach overflowed their banks. The latter tore away a bridge at the mouth of the Vispa.

Other danger areas

The cantonal management body (KFO) called for increased vigilance for the lateral waters of the Rhone in the Upper Val d'Hérens, Anniviers, Mattertal, Saastal, Simplon, Binntal, Goms and Aletsch regions. In addition, a warning was issued for the Rhone from Gletsch to Martigny. The peak of the flooding in the Rhone is expected on Thursday evening.

Among other things, the KFO called on the population to restrict travel, not to approach the watercourses, not to park on bridges or on the banks of the tributaries and the Rhone and to avoid cellars and underground car parks if there is a risk of flooding.

The Valais had already been hit by severe storms at the end of June and beginning of July. Flooding and mudslides caused extensive damage to buildings, traffic routes, infrastructure and agricultural land.

On Wednesday, the State Council put the damage caused by these storms for the canton at around CHF 125 million in an initial estimate. This figure does not include the damage caused to private individuals and companies. One man died in Saas-Grund and one person has been missing in the Binn region ever since.

SDA