Residents in the picturesque village of Blatten in Switzerland were stunned on Thursday as a massive slab of glacier debris — a mix of ice, mud, and rock — crashed down the mountain. Many see this dramatic event as a direct impact of climate change on the Alps.
The disaster unfolded after the village’s 300 residents had been evacuated in May when parts of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble. In a matter of hours, most of the village was buried and the few remaining houses were later flooded. Amid the chaos, a 64-year-old man who was in the danger zone remains missing, and search efforts were halted due to the treacherous conditions.
Adding to the intensity, thousands of tonnes of rocky debris have blocked the Lonza River, causing water levels to surge by 80 centimeters an hour from melting glacier ice. Authorities have emptied an artificial dam in nearby Ferden to counter any potential flood, though experts caution that nature can be unpredictable. Valais security chief Stephane Ganzer remarked, "We don't really like that word 'unlikely' here, because in our work even the unlikely can become likely."
Local cultural studies expert Werner Bellwald, who tragically lost his family's wooden house built in 1654 in the nearby hamlet of Ried, summed up the devastation: "You can't tell that there was ever a settlement there." His words capture the heartache and disbelief felt by the community. 😢❄️
This dramatic incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing impact of climate change. As discussions about environmental challenges heat up globally, the unfolding crisis in Blatten urges everyone to stay alert and engaged in protecting our planet. 🌍💬
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Swiss residents in shock after glacier debris buries village
cgtn.com
