More Rain Forecast for Flood-Hit Västernorrland,Hampering Train Recovery
Örnsköldsvik,Sweden – Västernorrland County is bracing for additional rainfall beginning Sunday evening,potentially hindering recovery efforts following widespread flooding and recent train derailments,according to Sweden’s meteorological institute,SMHI. While the anticipated 30-40 millimeters of rain is less than last weekend’s deluge,meteorologist Linnea Rehn Wittskog stated SMHI is closely monitoring the situation.
“We have daily reconciliations with the County Administrative Board and MSB. There is a lot of damage to be repaired and more rain can make it difficult,” Wittskog told TT.
Saturday offered a temporary respite, but SMHI forecasts possible showers on Sunday, escalating into more ample rainfall by evening. the ongoing floods have already caused significant disruption, including the derailment of two freight trains. One train, carrying hazardous waste including ammunition, derailed on the main line at Skorped outside Örnsköldsvik. The swedish Transport Governance estimates it could take up to two weeks to restore train traffic on that line.
“It is a gigantic job,” saeid anders Sundberg,of a field company working at the site,to Swedish Radio.
A second train, loaded with timber, derailed on the Ådalsbanan railway, with repairs expected to take at least a week. The Swedish Transport Administration is currently assessing the railway’s safety using a measuring car on both the Ådalsbanan and Bottniabanan lines.
“You read everything it takes to find out if the railway is safe to drive,” explained Sara Lindström, press communicator at the Swedish Transport Administration, to TT on Saturday.
SMHI notes Västernorrland’s mountainous terrain exacerbates the impact of heavy rainfall, causing water to rapidly accumulate in waterways. “It’s a lot of mountains, and when the rain comes it down and gathers in the waterways. Small streams can become like large rivers or rivers,” Wittskog explained.
