Published21. February 2024, 10:09
50 hectares: “Life-threatening” – Wattenwil community evacuates slide area
The landslide area near Wattenwil BE was evacuated after heavy slide activity. Entering is prohibited due to acute danger to life.
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The landslide area near Wattenwil BE was evacuated after heavy slide activity.
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50 hectares of forest area are in motion.
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Entry is prohibited due to the acute danger to life caused by falling trees.
In autumn 2023, a slide area became active again in the Ahörndler area near Wattenwil BE. Now there were movements at around 1200 m above sea level. M., as the municipality of Wattenwil warns in a media release. The area has been evacuated and entry is prohibited.
According to experts, the movements extend from top to bottom. At the beginning of January 2024, the first cracks could already be seen along the Stafelalpstrasse. The slide area is around 50 hectares in size and the volume was estimated at around five million cubic meters on February 14th. The forest was also badly damaged, as photos show (see photo gallery).
What causes the slip?
According to the media release, the prolonged rainfall in autumn 2023, followed by snow and melt in December 2023, could be the cause of the slide, along with the geological nature of the area. There is a risk of further movement, especially during heavy rain or melting.
The area has already been evacuated because there is a risk to life from falling trees. It is very likely that the properties at Schattenhalb can no longer be lived in. Those affected are accommodated in private accommodation.
The Wattenwil local council has issued a general order prohibiting entry into the affected area with immediate effect. This also applies to the official hiking trail that runs through the area.
Personal drama of those affected
“This is a huge drama for those affected, I have never experienced anything like this,” says mayor Manuel Liechti to 20 Minutes. A single-digit number of people in three properties are currently acutely affected.
“An older couple had built a little paradise there, which they now had to vacate within a few days,” says Liechti. They could have already organized new accommodation, “but on a psychological level it is very stressful.” It is currently being examined whether and how insurance companies will cover the damage caused by the slide.
A task force will assess the situation again on Wednesday afternoon, “but at the moment it looks like it will not be dangerous for the majority of the community,” said the mayor.
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