The Albula/Alvra community management team has declared the “YELLOW phase” before an evacuation from Brienz/Brinzauls. In two to six weeks, the “island” area high above the village must be expected to be demolished. The residents of Brienz/Brinzauls are urged to complete preparations for their evacuation as quickly as possible.
The Early Warning Service, the Geology/Natural Hazards Section and external experts informed the Albula/Alvra Community Management Staff (GFS) on Friday morning that the risk situation for the village of Brienz/Brinzauls had further worsened. The “island” section, with an estimated volume of around 2 million m3, has continued to accelerate. The slide rate at all measurement points on the island is now so high that, according to the experts' model calculation, the island can be expected to break off in two to six weeks. The community management team declared the start of the YELLOW phase on Friday.
He calls on the residents of Brienz/Brinzauls to complete preparations for their evacuation as quickly as possible, as when the next phase (ORANGE) occurs, the evacuation will be initiated immediately and will only have three days to leave the village. The members of the community leadership staff must be ready for action at all times.
You don't know in advance how the island breaks off
The island can break off partially or completely. The way in which this will happen cannot be predicted until the event takes place. Numerous rockfalls of a few thousand to several hundred thousand cubic meters are most likely. Slow but long-lasting slippage is half as likely as a stream of debris that can reach and damage the village. A large, rapid and far-reaching rock slide of more than 500,000 cubic meters is much less likely, but it cannot be ruled out either.
When the event will take place can be predicted more precisely the closer the event comes. More detailed information can then also be given about the volume, i.e. the size of the event. Even before a major event, rockfalls are constantly expected from the western part of the island, as parts of the island are at acute risk of falling. These rockfalls pose no threat to the village. However, it is very important not to enter the security zone north and west of the village.
The four phases before an event
The remaining time until a possible event was divided into the four phases “green”, “yellow”, “orange” and “red”:
GREEN phase
There is no immediate danger in the settlement area. The village is inhabited.
The GREEN phase means: “Prepare yourself for the upcoming evacuation.”
Yellow phase
Within two to six weeks, an event is expected which could endanger the village.
- The community management team (JRC) explains the YELLOW phase and announces this immediately.
- Members of the JRC must be ready for action at all times.
- Residents are completing preparations for their evacuation. When they enter the ORANGE phase, they must be ready for evacuation.
The YELLOW phase means: “You must be ready to evacuate.”
Orange phase
Within one to three weeks, an event is expected which could endanger the village.
- The JRC decides on the orderly evacuation and announces it immediately.
- A public information session will be held on this subject.
- The village must be completely evacuated within three days from the announcement of the evacuation.
- This also applies to pets and small farm animals.
- The access roads to Brienz/Brinzauls are blocked.
- As far as the security situation allows, residents are given temporary access to the village during the day.
- The large cattle remain in the village for the time being and are cared for by farmers there.
The ORANGE phase means: “Leave the village. Follow the instructions of the emergency services strictly.”
Red phase
An event that could endanger the village is imminent, i.e. in four to ten days.
- There is a total ban on entering the evacuated area.
- In Surava, the two westernmost houses “La Nois” on the right and left of Albula Street are evacuated.
- The inland waterway and the Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway along the Albula are blocked.
- The Tiefencastel-Lenzerheide cantonal road is blocked between Tiefencastel and Vazerol.
The RED phase means: “Be sure to stay away from the village. They are no longer safe in the village.”
Hotline for those affected
The municipality of Albula/Alvra offers those affected by the Brienz slide a free hotline to answer factual questions and discuss their personal situation. She is supervised by experienced psychologist Jürg Marguth. The content of personal conversations is, of course, confidential.
Hotline for those affected: 079 936 39 39
Contact for media professionals
Albula/Alvra Municipal Leadership Staff
Christian Gartmann
communications
079 355 78 78
Message from the Albula/Alvra community leadership team dated May 5, 2023, 14:00. Christian Gartmann has been a member of the community management staff since 2019 and is responsible for communication relating to Brienz Rutsch.