Serious risk of ice jam flooding valley after Swiss Birch Glacier collapse

A catastrophic collapse of the Birch Glacier in southern Valais, Switzerland, has left about 90% of the village of Blatten covered or destroyed, according to Stephane Ganzer, head of security in the region.

The disaster occurred when a large chunk of the glacier broke off, triggering a massive landslide that buried the village and the nearby Lonza River bed. This blockage raises the serious risk of an ice jam flooding the valley below, threatening further damage and danger to residents.

Authorities had preemptively evacuated the village and all livestock amid fears that the glacier, estimated at 1.5 million cubic meters (52 million cubic feet), was unstable and at risk of collapse.

A 64-year-old man remains missing following the event, highlighting the human toll of the disaster.

Switzerland, known for having the most glaciers in Europe, has been experiencing significant glacier loss, with 4% of its total glacier volume disappearing in 2023. This event underscores the increasing risks posed by climate change and glacier instability in Alpine regions.

"What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten," Ganzer said.

The regional government warned of potential dammed water flows due to the landslide blocking the Lonza River bed, which could exacerbate flooding risks downstream.

This disaster highlights the urgent need for monitoring and preparedness in glacier-affected communities as climate impacts intensify.

A massive collapse of the Birch Glacier in southern Valais, Switzerland, has devastated 90% of the village of Blatten, raising fears of ice jam flooding in the valley below. Authorities evacuated residents and livestock amid concerns over a 1.5 million cubic meter glacier at risk of further collapse.