Fierce storms result in multiple fatalities in Southern Alps and surrounding regions

Severe storms and heavy rains wreaked havoc across France, Switzerland, and Italy over the weekend, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least seven individuals, as reported by local authorities. In France's Aube region, three elderly individuals lost their lives when a tree fell on the car they were traveling in during strong winds, with a fourth passenger in critical condition. In Switzerland, four people perished, and two others are missing following violent thunderstorms and flooding caused by melting snow in two southern cantons. In Ticino, Switzerland, three victims were killed in a landslide in the Maggia valley, with one person still missing. The extreme weather conditions led to challenging rescue efforts, with hundreds of evacuations in Valais due to overflowing rivers and closed roads. Emergency services faced difficulties evacuating individuals stranded in various locations, including a football tournament in Peccia and a holiday camp in Mogno. The impact of climate change, driven by human activity, is believed to be exacerbating the severity and frequency of such extreme weather events, according to scientists. The situation was further complicated by inaccessible valleys and power outages, with a portion of Valais left without drinking water. In Switzerland, heavy storms caused extensive flooding and landslides, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and significant damage to infrastructure. The Rhone river overflowed in Valais, leading to the flooding of a motorway and railway line, while a man was found dead after being caught by surprise by floodwaters. In Italy, regions like Piedmont and Valle D'Aosta also experienced floods, thunderstorms, and landslides, prompting numerous rescue operations and evacuations. Villages in Valle D'Aosta were isolated due to overflowing streams and severe weather conditions, highlighting the widespread impact of the storms across the region.