A torrent of water in the Triftbach stream caused unexpected flooding in the Swiss resort of Zermatt.
A pocket of meltwater in the glacier above is believed to be the cause.
Yesterday, July 24, 2019, was the hottest day of the year in Switzerland… Let say so far.
And today, the Triftbach stream took Zermatt by surprise when it suddenly transformed into a raging torrent of muddy water for a few hours.
Major flooding of Triftbach stream in Zermatt, Switzerland (1600 m) yesterday, July 24th! This was not caused by storm runoff, but snow / glacial meltwater. Report via @crofin67 pic.twitter.com/NxOBPVNRqB
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) July 25, 2019
A glacier is probably at the origin of these torrents of water carrying sand and stones, said mayor Romy Biner-Hauser, who described it as “an unpredictable event of nature”.
A pocket of water in the glacial zone above the stream – invisible from the surface – could have emptied itself, he said.
The fire brigade has been deployed and the bridges over the Triftbach have been closed. Water had to be pumped out of some of the cellars of local houses. No one was injured, the municipality said.
This sudden flash flood shows again that natural disasters are somehow unpredictable… Always be ready and prepared for the next catastrophic event!
[20min, srf, le nouvelliste, swissinfo]
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