In a concerning turn of events, three people have gone missing after floodwaters swept through the south-eastern Swiss town of Misox in the alpine valley of Graubünden. The incident was triggered by a massive thunderstorm on Friday night, which caused rivers to breach their banks and flood the streets, leading to the evacuation of dozens of residents from their homes.
Meanwhile, the iconic alpine resort of Zermatt, which lies at the base of the famous Matterhorn mountain, has been completely isolated by the floodwaters. Footage from the town showed raging floodwaters tearing through the streets on Friday. Train services between Visp and Zermatt have been suspended, and the road between Täsch and Zermatt has been closed, effectively cutting off access to the resort.
Authorities in the region had taken precautionary measures, restricting public access to the banks of the Rhône and its tributary rivers from Friday in anticipation of potential overflow. The Graubünden government has expressed great concern over the situation and has commended the efforts of the local emergency services.
As the search for the three missing individuals continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in the affected areas, as well as restoring access to the isolated Zermatt resort. The severe flooding serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness in these alpine communities.