Tourists and residents in Alpine resorts, particularly in Zermatt and Tignes, are facing challenges due to heavy snow, with risks of avalanches prompting emergency measures. Power outages and road closures exacerbate the situation for travelers during the busy Easter season.
Intense Snowfall Disrupts Alpine Travel as Easter Approaches
Intense Snowfall Disrupts Alpine Travel as Easter Approaches
Heavy snowfall leads to widespread disruptions and closures in iconic ski resorts across Switzerland and France.
Heavy snowfall has caused significant disruptions in the Alpine regions of Switzerland and France as the Easter holiday approaches, leaving renowned ski resorts grappling with challenging conditions. The Swiss ski destination Zermatt found itself isolated, while officials in the French resort of Tignes, such as Mayor Serge Revial, urged residents and visitors to remain indoors due to an alarming risk of avalanches, with more than a meter of snow accumulating in just one day.
This unexpected weather has created hardships for thousands of homes in the Savoie area of eastern France, resulting in widespread power outages. In Switzerland, vital transport routes have been affected, including the closure of the Simplon Pass leading to Italy and the Great St Bernard Tunnel, compounding the struggle for tourists heading to enjoy ski holidays. In the Valais region, accessibility to Zermatt suffered due to blocked roads and trains, while power outages and disrupted mobile networks left residents feeling stranded. The Alertswiss app continues to alert locals of potential avalanches and falling trees as authorities canceled classes in Sion, further emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Travelers set on Easter getaways have now been advised to postpone their trips until at least Saturday, with local police recommending that individuals stay home when possible amid the chaos. On the Italian side of the Alps, significant rainfall has led to additional challenges, with reports of 37 municipalities in the Aosta Valley experiencing power disruptions and a bridge collapse in Biella, region. Residents near Turin are dealing with the consequences of flooding as rivers overflow, prompting red alerts in various valleys and making riverbanks a concern, particularly for the River Po, posing risks like the tragic incident involving a 92-year-old man believed to have drowned. Manuela, a Turin resident, described the persistent rains that had blanketed the area, reflecting the escalating weather challenges impacting this picturesque region.
