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Swiss tourist ski resort is hit by flooding and landslide as river busts its banks in the shadow of the Matterhorn

5 months ago 16

By Ryan Prosser

Published: 09:20 BST, 22 June 2024 | Updated: 09:39 BST, 22 June 2024

A famous Swiss ski resort has been hit by flooding and landslides after a river burst its banks.

Streets in Zermatt, a quaint village situated under the shadow of the distinctive Matterhorn, were left impassable after being deluged with water.

Footage showed water surging down the Vispa river, which flows through the popular resort, and spilling onto nearby streets and passageways.

The community of 5,700 has been virtually cut off after train services to the carless town were halted and access roads blocked.

Several rivers in the area, including the Rhone have overflowed amid heavy rainfall and melting snow.

Swiss ski resort Zermatt has been left virtually cut off by severe flooding after rivers bust their banks. Pictured: A grab from a clip taken from a train running out of the town alongside the  Vispa river

Footage showed water overflowing from the Vispa river which runs through the quaint village

Residents have been advised to stay away from bridges and waterways, as train services were suspended and access roads blocked

The wet conditions also caused soil to soften sending a landslide onto the access road between Zermatt and nearby Tasch, around three miles away.

Construction vehicles were seen stranded in the water, with several paths near river cordoned off as water flowed around buildings on Friday.

A video shot from a train showed water rushing down rivers alongside the mountains. 

Residents have been advised to restrict travel, avoid waterways and park vehicles away from bridges.

Authorities have also warned against attempting to film or photograph the extreme weather events. An alert has been issued for entire canton of Valais.

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