The authorities of the Canton of Valais, in southwest of Switzerland, have ordered the immediate evacuation of the 300 inhabitants of the town of Blatten, in a small valley of the Alps, given the danger that they collapse on it up to a million cubic meters of rocks.
The risk is “imminent” due to the instability of the close glaciers of Birch and Nesthororn for the smelting of snow and ice, the local civil protection authorities have indicated, which announced the evacuation through the alertswiss national alarm system.
Initially, the population had been advised to meet in a local multi -purpose room, but given the increase in risk, they have been ordered that they leave the area, something that most have already done with their cars.
A hundred inhabitants of smaller population nuclei in the area and the tourists who had traveled there were initially evacuated throughout the weekend.
According to recent figures from the World Meteorological Organization (OMM), Switzerland’s glaciers have reduced their ice volume 10% in just two years, because of climate change.
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