Weather & Radar
Home / Editor's Pick /

Roads buried: Rockslide nears Swiss village

01:00 PM
June 17, 2023

Swiss Rockslide
Alpine village, road threatened

RockslideA rockslide narrowly missed the Swiss village of Brienz late Thursday evening. - © picture alliance

Thursday evening saw a large part of a mountain slope slide down towards the evacuated Swiss village of Brienz/Brinzauls.

Fortunately, the debris avalanche came to a halt just outside the village. However, the danger of a rock slide has not yet been averted.

After being evacuated just over a month ago, Thursday saw a large part of the 'island', the unstable slope area of the mountain nearby Brienz, break away and slide down the valley as a rock and debris avalanche.

In the darkness, nothing could be seen of the event at first. However, the sliding debris caused a lot of noise. The highest possible danger level was immediately declared, while a nearby railway line and road were closed.

Friday morning revealed the extent of the debris flow. The road at the western end of the village was buried by yards of rock. The debris also buried a hut next to it. Fortunately, the avalanche stopped a few yards before the first residential buildings.

Further rockfalls possible

It is still unclear whether there was any damage to houses, for example due to flying rocks. The slope is now being examined by geologists. The area is to be flown over by helicopter. At present, it cannot be ruled out that further landslides or rockfalls will follow.

Footage captured in May shows the abandoned village as the first rockslides began.

Previously, the movement of the slope accelerated sharply. The section was sliding downwards at 3 to 5 metres per day on Thursday.

Brienz has been evacuated since May 12th. However, the landslide has been going on for several years. This spring it accelerated faster and further than previously seen.

The cause of the Brienz landslide is the nature of the subsoil. The sliding slope stands on a smeary layer of clay. In contrast to other rockfall-prone areas in the Alps, thawing permafrost does not play a role here.

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
Saturday, March 29, 2025

As Spring continues

UV forecasts in the app
Saturday, April 26, 2025

Off the coast of Sardinia

Waterspout seen from cruise ship
Sunday, April 13, 2025

Your weather - Your shots

An international spring collection
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Flood threat lingers

Northeast showers
Sunday, May 18, 2025

What to know

The dangers of hail
Saturday, May 17, 2025

You can be ready

When severe storms strike...
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.com

instagramfacebookthreadsContact uslinkList
Privacy policy | Legal info