Abortion glacier in Blatten: flood disaster threatens the valley!

Abortion glacier in Blatten: flood disaster threatens the valley!

Blatten, Schweiz - In the Swiss Lötschental, there are alarming developments after a massive glacier cancellation in Blatten. This natural disaster has blocked the Lonza river bed and led to the formation of a lake, the water level of which rises in worrying quickly - temporarily up to three meters per hour. According to lvz report the authorities Level anxes, but the lake still spreads out in the area and could overflow in the early morning.

Christian Studer, a representative of the department, emphasizes the need to follow the process carefully in order to ensure the safety of the population. A tidal wave or a scree avalanche is rated as unlikely, but cannot be completely ruled out. A temperature of about 20 degrees in the valley is expected on Friday, which could lead in addition to a melting of snow and increased amounts of water.

government action and evacuations

In Ferden, a resemblance and a dam are available to hold back potential material. The danger of other rock tortures is particularly given on the small nesthorn, where several hundred thousand cubic meters of rock threaten to rush. Broocks have already hit the Birsch Glacier, which fell into the valley and caused massive destruction in Blatten. Residents report on the devastating consequences, while around 300 people from the region had to be brought to safety. A missing person is reported from the disaster area.

The situation is serious enough that the army clearing troops are ready, but access to the affected areas remains difficult due to the dangerous conditions. MP Beat Rieder describes the situation as a century disaster because many residents have lost everything. Drone images show a frightening picture: a large part of the village of Blaten is buried under rubble.

climate change as a long -term cause

The abortion is seen as part of a larger image that leaves climate change in these regions. Prof. Jan Beutel from the University of Innsbruck points out that the glacier melting and the rapid melting of snow accelerate the erosion of the rock and influence the stability of the permafrost. There are over 275,000 glaciers worldwide, many of which are at risk, since they are threatened by climate change in their existence. A study by the University of Zurich shows that around 273 billion tons of ice have been lost annually since 2000. In 2024 the fourth year since the beginning of the records with a loss of 450 billion tons of ice, which underlines the urgency of the topic.

In the Alps, the mountain glaciers are particularly sensitive to temperature increases, and many are expected that many could disappear over the next 50 years. Studies show that the decline in glaciers not only raises sea level, but also has serious consequences for ecosystems and the water supply of over three billion people who rely on the melting water. According to Deutschlandfunk could continue without drastic measures, which would further exacerbate the climate and biodiversity crisis.

The current events in the Lötschental illustrate the immediate consequences of climate change to the local people. It remains to be hoped that the experiences from this catastrophe also lead to increased attention to sustainable climate protection.