ISLAMABAD: Swiss authorities are closely monitoring a southern Alpine valley for potential flooding following the collapse of a huge glacier, which triggered a devastating landslide and destroyed the small village of Blatten.
The disaster unfolded on Wednesday when part of the Birch Glacier in the Valais region gave way, sending millions of cubic meters of rock, ice, and debris cascading down the mountain and into the valley below.
Glacier Collapse Devastates Village and Raises Flood Concerns
The landslide completely destroyed the hamlet of Blatten, home to around 300 residents, who had been evacuated earlier due to warnings about the glacier’s instability.
Despite the evacuation, one man aged 64 remains missing, with search efforts halted temporarily because of hazardous conditions. Authorities declared a state of emergency as the massive debris pile, stretching approximately two kilometers, blocked the river Lonza, raising fears of an ice dam that could cause severe flooding downstream.
Officials explained that the blockage created a natural barrier, forming a growing lake behind it. With water levels rising rapidly, authorities have taken precautionary measures such as emptying an artificial dam to manage the water surge.
About 16 people from nearby villages Wiler and Kippel, located downstream, were evacuated as a safety measure.
Climate Change Fuels Glacier Instability and Disaster Risk
The Valais cantonal government, supported by the Swiss army, is preparing for possible interventions despite the unstable debris field making immediate access dangerous.
The collapse was powerful enough to register as a seismic event on monitoring stations, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Experts linked the glacier’s sudden failure to rising temperatures, which have accelerated the melting and destabilization of glaciers across the Alps.
Swiss glaciers have lost significant volume in recent years, melting faster than in previous decades due to climate change.
This tragic incident echoes a similar disaster in 2017, when a massive rockfall near the Italian border resulted in fatalities and widespread damage.
As rescue and monitoring operations continue, authorities remain vigilant against further debris flows and potential flooding, emphasizing the ongoing risks posed by climate-induced changes in mountain landscapes.
