- The village of Brienz in Graubünden has to be evacuated.
- The Albula city council decided to evacuate on the recommendation of the city leadership team.
- All residents must vacate the village by 1 pm on Sunday, November 17. The evacuation is expected to last several months.
The early warning service of the municipality of Albula, to which the village of Brienz belongs, analyzed the danger together with the expert group of geology and natural hazards and other geologists and recommended the precautionary evacuation of Brienz next weekend, according to a statement.
“A deeper analysis with better data could be done yesterday evening,” explained Christian Gartmann, media spokesperson of the community leadership team, to SRF. It must be assumed that the village will not be accessible for several months.
In the rubble pile above Brienz, about 1.2 million cubic meters of rock rubble has been moving down the valley at a rate of 20 to 35 centimeters per day since the second half of September. There is a risk that it will come loose and slide towards the village as a fast stream of debris, he said.
Evacuating in winter poses special challenges
The community board and community leadership are trying to give the affected residents enough time for the upcoming evacuation. “Giving up your house for several months is a very difficult task,” says Gartmann.
The situation is very challenging for the farmers in the village because they have to find a place for their animals. Unlike last year, the evacuation now takes place in the winter, which makes the situation even more difficult. The cows cannot be taken to the Alps and the stables in the valley are already at capacity.
To help farmers and other residents, the authorities are providing support to find suitable accommodation. “It’s going to be a challenge to find an apartment for everyone,” Gartmann continued. If accommodation cannot be found, the option of accommodation in a hotel is also available.
For security reasons, entry is now prohibited. The access roads to Brienz are closed. Only residents and second homes evacuating buildings in Brienz have access. The deadline to leave the village was set at 1 pm on Sunday.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Geological Expert
Time.news Editor: Good day, and thank you for joining us today. We are discussing a pressing situation in Brienz, a village in Graubünden, Switzerland, which has been ordered to evacuate due to geological hazards. With us is Dr. Elena Weber, a geological expert specializing in natural hazards. Thank you for being here, Dr. Weber.
Dr. Elena Weber: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic, and I’m glad to shed some light on the situation.
Editor: To start, can you tell us why the evacuation of Brienz became necessary? What are the geological issues at play here?
Dr. Weber: Certainly. The recent analysis conducted by the early warning service of the municipality of Albula indicates that there’s a significant risk posed by a massive rock pile above Brienz. This rubble, estimated at about 1.2 million cubic meters, has been moving down the valley at alarming rates of 20 to 35 centimeters per day since mid-September. If it were to suddenly loosen and slide toward the village, it could result in catastrophic consequences.
Editor: That sounds incredibly concerning. The decision to evacuate was made by the city council based on recommendations from the leadership team. How does such a decision typically unfold in scenarios like this?
Dr. Weber: Evacuations are never taken lightly. They follow a thorough assessment of risk by experts in geology and natural hazards. In this case, the leadership team and experts concluded that the risk was sufficient to warrant a precautionary evacuation. Such measures prioritize resident safety, even when they may cause disruption and distress among the community.
Editor: I can only imagine the tension among residents. The article mentions that some locals are questioning the evacuation. What are some common reasons residents might have for doubting the evacuation decision?
Dr. Weber: It’s not uncommon for communities facing evacuations to feel skepticism. Residents often have deep emotional ties to their homes and may doubt the severity of the threat presented. There may be a perception that the situation isn’t as dire as portrayed or fear of losing their belongings and livelihoods temporarily or permanently. Communication and thorough explanation from officials can help alleviate some of that tension, though it’s undoubtedly a difficult position for them.
Editor: Given the statement from spokesperson Christian Gartmann regarding the potential inaccessibility of the village for months, what factors contribute to the expected duration of the evacuation?
Dr. Weber: Several factors play a role. First, the movement of the collapse-prone materials themselves is unpredictable, making it difficult to establish a safe timeframe for residents to return. Additionally, the geological assessments may continue, requiring significant time for monitoring and ensuring that the situation stabilizes. The safety of returning residents must always come first.
Editor: What advice would you give to communities facing similar risks in the future to potentially prevent such drastic measures?
Dr. Weber: Proactive measures are essential—regular geological surveys, establishing early warning systems, and community awareness programs can help prepare residents for potential hazards. It’s vital to foster cooperation between local governments and geological experts so that the community can be well-informed and aware of risks, which can ease responses to emergencies.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Weber, for sharing your insights. The situation in Brienz is certainly a sobering reminder of nature’s unpredictability. We wish all the residents safety during this challenging time.
Dr. Weber: Thank you. It’s always important to prioritize safety and community well-being.