Switzerland Raises Alert Levels Due to Floods

Switzerland has raised alert levels and evacuated several areas as heavy rains in the southern canton of Valais have caused severe flooding.

According to the European news network Euro News on its news website today, Saturday, the floods also isolated the famous tourist destination of Zermatt near the iconic Matterhorn mountain from the outside world after experiencing severe disruptions yesterday, Friday, when the Visp River partially overflowed, and the Matterhorn-Gotthard railway suspended operations.

Authorities in Valais are particularly concerned about the Rhone River and its tributaries, which threaten to flood as water levels in the Rhone have been high since morning and are expected to peak late in the evening, posing a risk of further floods and landslides.

In response, local officials have raised the warning level in the entire canton to alert level, indicating the need for increased monitoring and readiness for emergency measures.

In the municipality of Chippis, nearly 30 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure, while Swiss federal authorities raised the risk level in parts of Valais to the second highest level, level 4.

Authorities have advised residents and visitors to avoid waterways, refrain from standing on bridges, minimize movement near affected areas, and not to photograph or film storm events for safety reasons.