Although the Valais is spared from flooding due to its geography: mountain rivers such as the Rotten in Upper Valais currently discharge a lot of meltwater, to which a lot of rainwater is added. Rotten is the name of the Rhone in the upper section.
Now two crazy canoeists have been filmed darting down the Rotten rapids in their kayaks, like “Radio Rottu Oberwallis” reported. A worker in orange rain overalls is amazed at the canoeists. Bold or just stupid canoeists?
Numerous overflowing rivers would currently also invite you to such adventures in German-speaking Switzerland. However, authorities warn of the dangers. Emergency services are already at the limit. The rescue of reckless water sports enthusiasts would just have been missing.
Great flood dangers
Even in the much quieter Limmat and Sihl rivers, the Zurich City Police again banned Böötlen and swimming on Wednesday morning.
Police and ambulance Basel-Stadt warn on Twitter «to temporarily refrain from swimming and other activities on or in the Rhine and other rivers. The high water level, high river speed, cloudy water and floating debris pose a high risk. ” (kes)