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Persistent rain is currently leading to a tense flood situation in Switzerland. An overview.
Aare: The Aare in Bern continues to rise. The flood protection measures installed on Tuesday remain in place. Protection and Rescue Bern announced this on Wednesday morning. All riverside paths are closed. The authorities warn to stay away from the banks of the Aare.
According to the cantonal authorities, flood protection measures are being expanded in the city of Bern in the Marzili, Matte and Altenberg areas. All vehicles had to be removed from public parking spaces. The municipality of Köniz has also closed the banks of the Aare near Wabern for safety reasons.
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 in the canton of Obwalden it is sometimes only possible to get there by boat. Because in the Ried district, Lake Sarnen 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: The Rhine near Basel was closed to ships until Thursday due to flooding. The flood resulted in the closure of shipping 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: The Rhone is currently flooding in Geneva. Authorities are asking passers-by to stay away from the watercourse.
Legend:
The Rhone in Geneva before the confluence of the Arve.
KEYSTONE/Salvatore Di Nolfi
According to them, the same applies to the Arve, which flows into the Rhone in Geneva. Flooding must be expected. According to Geneva cantonal police, the Val d’Arve and Acacias bridges were closed on Tuesday evening.
Lake Biel: Lake Biel overflowed its banks in several places early this morning. Shortly before noon there is a “great danger” (level 4). Due to the location, the footpaths along the old Zihl and along the Nidau-Büren Canal between Nidau and Port are closed in Nidau and Biel. The authorities activated their emergency plans. They also set up a hotline.
Legend:
Firefighters at a briefing during the operation today in Biel.
SRF/Anne Moser
The Biel/Bienne Regio regional management body has been running a hotline for the population since 8 a.m. Sandbags can also be purchased from the fire department magazines in Nidau and Ligerz. They are intended for residents whose homes are threatened by water.
We have predetermined operational plans. So we are a little ahead of the event.
The emergency services are currently on duty. A mobile dike system was installed this morning. This is not least because it is expected that the lake level will rise slightly by tomorrow, according to Matthias Reber, deputy commander of the Biel professional fire department.
“In contrast to a fire incident, we have a little more time here. 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: Lake Thun was still around 15 centimeters below the flood limit on Wednesday morning. Lake Biel had exceeded this limit early in the morning and was around seven centimeters above flood level by mid-morning.
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
Rainfall and a high snow line are expected to continue in the coming hours.