Lötschental: Nature under pressure - Glacier cancellation ensures alarm!

Lötschental: Nature under pressure - Glacier cancellation ensures alarm!

in the Lötschental, an impressive valley in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, the current situation is stable after a stopping glacier. This is reported by the Valais State Councilor Stéphane Ganzer, who describes the situation as "satisfactory at the moment". The night was relatively quiet, while the Lonza continues to flow over the rubble cone.

On Friday evening, it was decided to open the locks of the Ferden dam to make room for incoming water. This measure was taken after heavy rainfall has been announced for the coming week, which increases the risk of mura exits. Whole emphasized that "nature specifies the rhythm" and emphasized the great solidarity with the affected inhabitants. There were numerous offers of help from the population and by authorities from various cantons of western Switzerland and cities such as Bern and Zurich.

geographical and historical background

Lötschental, the largest valley on the north side of the Rhône valley, extends over 27 kilometers and is surrounded by majestic mountains, including the Bietschhorn with 3,934 meters. The valley is known for its impressive glaciers that arise in the long glacier and offers a wide range of opportunities for hikes and winter sports.

A remarkable aspect of the Lötschental is the tradition of the Cchäggättä, in which fearsome figures move around in the streets during the carnival. Despite its impressive nature, Lötschental remained largely isolated until the 20th century, until the construction of the Lötschbergbahn between 1907 and 1913 was established.

The effects of the climate event

The situation in the Lötschental reflects how endangered the glaciers of Switzerland are by climate change. According to the current reports, extreme years have led to a loss of around 10 percent of the total glacier in Switzerland. These alarming changes are related to low -snow winters and high summer temperatures that accelerate the melting glacier.

in the south and east of the same area, the glaciers melted almost as strongly as in the record year 2022. Especially in southern Valais and Engadine, the ice melt is dramatic, with losses of several meters on the ice thickness.

climate change has also led to warm summer and dry conditions drive the snow melt in recent years. In spring 2023 the situation normalized at short notice, but the dry and very warm June caused an above -average melting of the snow cover, which threatens the glaciers in their existence.

The correlation between the current situation in the Lötschental and the progressive climatic changes suggests how important it is to take local and global measures to combat climate change. While the region is fighting against the challenges, the hope of comprehensive support from the community and a soon stabilization of the situation to protect the impressive nature of the Lötschental.