Swiss Village Grapples with Unstable Reservoir After Glacier Collapse
The Swiss village of Blatten is facing a precarious situation following the collapse of a glacier on Wednesday. The primary concern now centers on the rapidly forming reservoir behind the resulting debris cone. Authorities are closely monitoring the water levels,acknowledging the certain release of the accumulated water into the valley. The critical question remains: will this release be a controlled flow or a catastrophic surge?
The Impasse: Rubble, Ice, and Rising Waters
The Lonza river’s natural course has been completely obstructed by a massive accumulation of rock, ice, and debris as the glacier’s collapse. This blockage has led to the rapid formation of a lake, with water levels reportedly rising as much as 3 meters per hour at times. The sheer volume of water poses a significant threat to downstream communities.
Did you know? Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a significant hazard in mountainous regions worldwide. Climate change is accelerating glacier melt, increasing the risk of these sudden and devastating events.
risks Preventing Machine Intervention
Despite the urgency, deploying heavy machinery to carve channels for a controlled water release is deemed too dangerous. Unluckily, we cannot do little, becuase the security situation on site does not allow that we can intervene with heavy machines,
explained Christian Studer of the Natural Hazards Department of the Canton of Valais.
The instability of the debris field,composed of large boulders,loose rubble,and potentially melting glacier ice,presents an unacceptable risk to both personnel and equipment. Further complicating matters, the possibility of additional landslides from the valley slopes remains a constant threat.
Multiple Threats Converge
The situation is fraught with peril. The unstable nature of the debris pile, consisting of boulders, loose rubble and glacier ice, which should have already melted,
makes any intervention exceedingly risky. Neither humans nor machines would be sure,
officials warn. Compounding the danger, there are further slips from both sides of the valley.
Pro Tip: Stay informed about emergency alerts and evacuation orders issued by local authorities. Have a pre-planned evacuation route and a go-bag ready in case of sudden flooding.
Mitigation Efforts and Worst-Case Scenarios
Currently, authorities are focused on hazard assessment and implementing organizational measures to protect the public. Studer stated, We can make sure that no people are in an endangered area.
As a precautionary measure, a reservoir located upstream at Ferden has been emptied to act as a buffer, providing a temporary holding capacity for the anticipated water surge.
The worst-case scenario involves the Ferden reservoir being overwhelmed by the volume of water.While considered unlikely at present,the potential for such an event underscores the severity of the situation.
We can make sure that no people are in an endangered area.
Christian Studer, Natural Hazards Department, Canton of Valais
