Amidst the disaster area, apprehension about forthcoming rainfall and sunshine escalates.
In the Swiss canton of Valais, residents of the Lötschental valley are on high alert due to an approaching weather front. Rain is forecasted to begin on Sunday, potentially accompanied by melting ice, which could destabilize a massive landslide that has engulfed the village of Blatten and partially obstructed the flow of the mountain river Lonza, increasing the risk of debris flows. The valleys communities below remain vulnerable to rocks, rubble, and mud slides as the terrain struggles to contain the unstable mass.
State Councillor Stéphane Ganzer has acknowledged the forces of nature are largely controlling the situation. The current heat has accelerated snow melt, while foreseeable downpours could further impact the landslide.
The mass, estimated to be approximately nine million cubic meters, is predominantly composed of ice. This ice-ladenslide broke off from the Birsch glacier on Wednesday, sending a barrage of rubble and ice into the valley. Preemptive evacuation secured the safety of Blattens roughly three hundred inhabitants.
Water from the dammed mountain river Lonza is currently flowing through and over the landslide. However, concerns linger, as water, debris, or ice fragments could get carried away, endangering regions below. The risk is present but relatively low as the terrain further down the valley is not steep, and the river bed of the Lonza is wide. More pressing dangers arise from potential rockfalls in the collapse area above Blatten, as the mountainous region remains unstable.
Rainfall is expected to exacerbate the danger, threatening to start further landslides or rockfalls. Communities along the Lonza, such as Gampel and Steg, must remain vigilant in case of potential flooding as measurement devices monitor the situation.
Authorities are using heavy machinery in communities like Gampel and Steg to ensure debris and logs flow smoothly through the Lonza river bed, preventing any foreseeable evacuations while keeping a watchful eye on the situation. The water arriving at the Ferden dam from the Lonza is heavily polluted, making it unsuitable for power generation.
Elsewhere in the Loèche valley, unstable rock has broken off from nearby mountains at approximately 3000 meters above sea level, crashing onto the Birsch glacier. This rockfall occurred on May 28 and contributed to the massive landslide.
The consequences of climate change are apparent, as glaciers like Birch Glacier undergo melting at alarming rates, potentially leading to more frequent and severe landslide events in the future. Switzerland's glaciers are projected to drastically shrink by 2100, affecting water supplies and contributing to sea level rise.
The weather forecasting indicates rain starting on Sunday, which could further destabilize the massive, ice-laden landslide in Blatten. Due to the current weather conditions and rising temperatures, authorities are concerned about potential additional landslides or rockfalls, emphasizing the importance of weather-forecasting in this critical situation.
