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Persistent rain is currently leading to a tense flood situation in Switzerland. An overview.
Aare: The Aare in Bern remains high. The flood protection measures installed on Tuesday remain in place, as Berne Protection and Rescue announced. All riverside paths along the Aare are closed.
In the city of Bern, measures are being tightened in the Marzili, Matte and Altenberg districts, according to the cantonal authorities. All vehicles in public parking lots had to be parked in the neighborhoods.
In the lower canton of Solothurn, the Water Special Staff of the Cantonal Command Staff (KFS) has declared alert level 1 of two levels. The reason is the high water level of Lake Biel. So far, the amount of water has been able to flow into the Aare in a controlled manner. The limit was exceeded on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Stop log systems were therefore used along the Aare near Obergösgen, Gretzenbach and Niedergösgen.
Legend:
The partially flooded Stroppelinsel, at the confluence of the Limmat and Aare, taken on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Untersiggenthal.
KEYSTONE/Ennio Leanza
Lake Sarnen: In Giswil (OW) the only way to get around is by boat. In the Ried district, Lake Sarnersee has already overflowed its banks.
Legend:
The Ried district in Giswil on Lake Sarnen in the canton of Obwalden is in flood.
KEYSTONE/Urs Flueeler
Rhine: Near Basel, the Rhine was closed to shipping until Thursday due to flooding. The closure also applies between Rheinfelden (AG) and the Kembs lock in France. On the Alertswiss alerting and information channel We are currently asking you to observe barriers.
Rhone: In Geneva, the Rhone is currently in flood and passers-by should stay away from the watercourse.
Legend:
The Rhone in Geneva before the confluence of the Arve.
KEYSTONE/Salvatore Di Nolfi
The same applies to the Arve, which flows into the Rhone in the city of Geneva. Flooding must be expected. The Val d’Arve and Acacias bridges were closed on Tuesday evening, according to Geneva cantonal police.
Lake Biel: Lake Biel overflowed its banks in several places on Wednesday morning. Shortly before noon there is a “great danger” (level 4). Due to the location, the footpaths along the Alte Zihl and along the Nidau-Büren Canal between Nidau and Port are closed in Nidau and Biel/Bienne.
Legend:
Firefighters at a briefing during the operation today in Biel/Bienne.
SRF/Anne Moser
Sandbags can be purchased from the fire department magazines in Nidau and Ligerz. They are intended for residents whose homes are threatened by water.
A mobile dike system was installed on Wednesday morning because it is expected that the lake level will rise slightly, said Matthias Reber, deputy commander of the Biel professional fire department: “We have worked ahead with predetermined operational plans. This way we are a little bit ahead of the event and can take one measure at a time.”
Lake Thun: On Wednesday morning, Lake Thun was still around 15 centimeters below the flood limit, but is rising continuously.
Lake Neuchâtel: In Cheyres (FR) and Estavayer-le-Lac (FR), Lake Neuchâtel could overflow its banks in individual places, the Friborg cantonal police said. She advises homeowners near the lake to move endangered objects to safety and, if necessary, turn off electricity systems. The water level of Lake Murten is also constantly increasing.
Greifensee: In the canton of Zurich, Lake Greifen has exceeded the flood limit: its level was 436.05 meters above sea level at 7:40 a.m., i.e. 5 centimeters above the alarm limit. When the alarm value is exceeded, danger level 3 (significant) now applies around Lake Greifensee.
Legend:
Now the Greifensee has also broken the high water mark, as in the picture in Uster.
SRF
Imboden region: A mudslide has damaged a property in Sculms (municipality of Bonaduz).
Legend:
A mudslide damaged a property in Sculms (municipality of Bonaduz).
srf