A small village in the Swiss Alps, Blatten, is facing a devastating situation after being forced to evacuate its 300 residents. On May 19, geologists warned that the nearby glacier was unstable, prompting the evacuation. Many locals fear they may never return to their homes.
The emotional toll is evident. One resident, Bellwald, expressed the community’s resilience, saying, "We have lost our village, but not our heart. We will support each other and console each other. After a long night, it will be morning again."
The Swiss government has stepped in, promising financial support to help residents remain in the area, even if they cannot return to Blatten itself. However, Raphaël Mayoraz, head of the regional office for Natural Hazards, cautioned that more evacuations might be needed in nearby areas due to ongoing risks.
This disaster highlights a growing concern linked to climate change. Glaciers, which are essentially frozen rivers of ice, are melting at an alarming rate. The permafrost, which helps stabilize the mountains, is also thawing. Drone footage captured a dramatic moment when a large section of the Birch glacier collapsed, sending a massive avalanche of mud down into the valley and creating a cloud of dust over Blatten.
Experts have been warning for years that some alpine villages are at risk. Blatten is not the first to face such a crisis; two years ago, residents of Brienz were evacuated due to a crumbling mountainside. They have only been allowed to return for short visits since then. Additionally, in 2017, a significant landslide near Bondo resulted in the deaths of eight hikers and destroyed many homes.
Recent studies indicate that Switzerland’s glaciers could disappear within a century if global temperatures rise beyond the agreed limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris climate accord. Many scientists believe this target has already been surpassed, leading to accelerated glacier thawing and heightened risks of flooding and landslides for communities like Blatten.
As Blatten’s residents grapple with their uncertain future, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities in the Alps.