There is still no trace of the three missing people in Graubünden province. Their homes in the Misaux Valley, north of Lake Como, were destroyed in a landslide. Another wanted woman was freed from the wreckage on Saturday morning.
A severe storm on Friday caused extensive damage to homes, railway tracks and roads. About 200 meters of the A13 highway in the direction of Italy was destroyed. Railways were also affected. Zermatt was cut off from the outside world for more than 24 hours, with both the railway line and access road closed. From Saturday evening, the first trains were allowed to run again into the tourist town.
Severe thunderstorms and landslides in Grafton
In Graubünden, in the country’s southeast, several thunderstorms, floods and landslides have hit since Friday, cantonal police said on Saturday. The Misaux Valley, south of the San Bernardino Pass on the Italian border, was particularly affected.
According to the weather service, 125 millimeters of rain fell in 24 hours. Otherwise, an average of 154 millimeters is common throughout June. Over 7,000 lightning strikes have also occurred during the same period.
Zermatt was cut off from the outside world for over 24 hours
The tourist resort of Zermatt on the Matterhorn was cut off from the outside world for a day due to flooding. Two – hitherto small – rivers overflowed their banks. Schools were closed. About 230 people had to leave their homes, Marie-Claude Noth-Ecoeur, head of the civil protection office, told Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA. More than 200 firefighters and dozens of other units are on the job.
Zermatt is now accessible again by train from Saturday evening. Mayor Romy Biner-Hauser had already assured all holiday guests that they were safe. The main shopping street in Zermatt was not affected, a tourist office employee told the German Press Agency. Restaurants and shops are open. Zermatt has more than 14,000 beds for holiday guests in hotels and holiday apartments.
With material from dpa and AFP
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