Bad weather hit causing floods in northern Italy, particularly Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. There is extensive damage with some villages isolated.
In Cogne, the town has become isolated. Flooding in the centre of Cervinia left it isolated overnight. Landslides and mudslides in Piedmont have damaged bridges and isolated some valleys.
A major evacuation is underway in Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, with about thirty hikers stranded in shelters at the foot of Monte Rosa. The number of people evacuated from the Cogne valley by helicopter continues to increase. “The main urgency is the evacuation of people who need to go down to the valley. We are doing this with helicopter flights, and we have already brought down at least 300 people.
“However, we still have to bring down as many more, but the numbers are not precise at the moment,” said Franco Allera, mayor of Cogne. A large part of the town is without water due to the aqueduct being damaged by the torrent. Efforts are underway for a temporary repair.
Significant damage due to floods in northern Italy
Significant damage also occurred on the municipal road of Valnontey, where both the electricity grid and the aqueduct are out of order. In the Cogne Valley, technical inspections are underway to assess the damage and evaluate necessary interventions.
Floods have been reported due to the wave of the Dora Baltea flood. In Montjovet, two families were evacuated, and in Issogne, the river flooded between Favà and Fleuran, forcing some residents to move to higher floors.
In Cervinia, extensive damage amounting to millions of euros has been reported, especially in the shops with warehouses below street level. The Marmore torrent overflowed, filling garages and several rooms.
“Now the situation is fairly under control, with repairs to the banks of the streams and the streets of the centre underway,” said Massimo Chatrian, deputy mayor of Valtournenche. An inspection is also being carried out to check the aqueducts’ condition.
Around thirty people remain stuck in shelters on Monte Rosa after the Anza river overflowed at several points. Mayor Alessandro Bonacci of Macugnaga assured that there is no emergency and advised people to stay where they are.
Images of the swelling Noasca waterfall in Alta Valle Orco, Turin area, have circulated widely. “We have suffered considerable damage, especially to the cliffs of the waterfall, due to the water bomb and landslides. The situation is improving, and in a few hours, we will be able to clear the road to allow people stuck here to leave,” commented the mayor of Noasca.
Landslides in Piedmont
In Piedmont, landslides have caused damage to bridges, with the most significant problems in Alagna Valsesia. In Campertogno, work is underway to restore aqueducts, and about twenty campers have been left isolated.
“Since yesterday evening, I have been in personal contact with the mayors of the affected areas. We monitored throughout the evening and into the night the progress of the disturbance that hit parts of Piedmont.
The most serious damage has been recorded on the Gran Paradiso front, in Canavese, the Orco and Lanzo valleys, and the Macugnaga area. I am in contact with the Valle d’Aosta Region and have spoken with Fabrizio Curcio, Head of the National Civil Protection Department, to request a state of emergency,” declared the President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio.
