The situation in Brienz highlights the challenges faced by many communities in areas prone to natural disasters and the importance of emergency preparedness and response.
a small swiss town is in a state of alert and evacuation due to the threat of a possible rockfall from a nearby mountain. The town of Brienz, located in eastern Switzerland, has seen its inhabitants pack their belongings after the evacuation order issued by the authorities, which gives them until the weekend to leave the area.
The local authorities, after consulting with experts in geology and natural hazards, decided that the preventive evacuation It was necessary. Christian Gartmann, a member of the Albula municipality’s crisis management council, which includes Brienz, reported that residents were already organizing to leave quickly. This is not an isolated event; In May of last year, a similar situation occurred when a rockfall sent 2 million cubic meters of stone down the hillside, although fortunately it did not reach the town. However, there are still 1.2 million cubic meters of rock that represent an imminent threat.
Gartmann said the evacuation had already begun and that some residents were unhappy with the decision. “No one is in favor of their own evacuation. “They would love to stay in their homes, where they have lived for generations,” he said. Authorities have advised villagers to carry essentials to be out of the village for an extended period, possibly up to six months.
Although the evacuation is not complete and temporary accommodation has been arranged for approximately three-quarters of residents, many will stay with close friends or family. Gartmann indicated that the main concern is the rocks already scattered on the slope, and not a larger slide. The idea of carrying out a controlled explosion to mitigate the risk was discarded due to the danger it would entail and the significant amount of explosives required.
The official assured that a severe landslide could devastate the town and mentioned that work is being carried out to relieve the water pressure under the ground that has contributed to destabilizing the rocks. This erosion process has been occurring for thousands of years.
Although the authorities plan to compensate evacuees for the additional costs related to their departure, payments for damage to personal belongings are not foreseen, as they consider that “it is no one’s fault” and is simply a matter dictated by nature.
The situation in Brienz highlights the challenges faced by many communities in areas prone to natural disasters and the importance of emergency preparedness and response.
Source: Ambito
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