Cut off from the outside world

when was the last Time such a severe Winter? Armin Candinas have to think long, gotta make a phone call and the village chronicle consult. In 1999, he then says: "There is an avalanche came pretty close to the village. And in 1984, because it was bad." But today? Winter holding, a lot of snow: "we are accustomed to here."

Unaccustomed to speaking for the municipality, President of the Romansh municipality of Sumvitg (: Sumvitsch), only the onslaught of journalists. They are all there: the "view," the NZZ, one of the reporters even took a Klappvelo in the postal car. To use it comes. The snow plow will not hold in the heavy drift of snow once the main street of the village of snow free.

What actually happened, asks the 67-year-old President of the commune. The road to Disentis is blocked on this Monday, the railway line also. Sumvitg is the last accessible village. An avalanche may be disposed of only half, but they threaten more of the traffic routes, says a firefighter on the barrier. Disentis itself is to this day, neither of the East nor of the West accessible. Cut off from the outside world.

Calls for the exclusion zone. The avalanches-alarm system in the Val Stalusa between Sumvitg and Disentis was jumped in the night on Monday, shortly after 22 o'clock on the Red, told Robert Cajacob, President of the municipality of Disentis. Now, the experts study the situation on the mountain, meanwhile, the Locals inform on the streets the tourists: Yes, a blockage can occur, it is stated, in the high mountains, you may to the bans and walks away from the open trails without. ""Specialists" there are," says Robert Cajacob, but for the most part, were the guests of the rules. The most Important thing, anyway, that in the settlement area has no avalanche danger.

snow walls by milling

So how in Disentis, the mood in some of the graubünden valley: There are blades incredibly much, but we have it under control. The hardest ones are the evacuation teams of the Rhaetian railway, which since Saturday has been continuously in use work well. Dig and cut through metre-high snow walls, sawing dozens of on Line, fallen trees. In the Canton of seven sections of the route are temporarily interrupted. "On Sunday, came very much down," said spokeswoman Yvonne Dünser from the warm Chur Central. "In some Places we can't go there yet, because the avalanche danger is still high." So in the part of the Davos–Filisur. The section of Klosters–Davos Platz is in the afternoon, a short drivable, but must be closed again. It looks similar to the road network: On Monday are locked in the Canton of over 40 sections of July pass until the road to Samnaun. Yvonne Dünser not attributed to a rapid relaxation – "to do again".

The schools will remain to be happy

In Sumvitg the students over the snow. Because there is a school consortium with neighbouring municipalities and the roads to Schlans and San Benedetg are closed, the school until Tuesday. Also, anyone who works in Disentis, remains at home. "My boss needs to take care of themselves," says a man laughing in front of his snowed the car. There is snow, there are avalanches in the mountains. That is the opinion in the village. High water would be worse.

of Course, the avalanche danger level 5 was not pleasant, had to be taken seriously, says community President Candinas. But even a disaster, you can gain here is Positive. 1984 thundered a mighty avalanche into the valley. They reached the village core, crack, the 13. Century-built chapel of Sogn Benedetg above the village. In their place is now a little bit offset to the avalanche-protected location, a new wooden chapel by the architect Peter Zumthor, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

in order To point 18 at the experts share the road. Some of the Locals and tourists dare to travel to Disentis, right behind the snow plow. The village is extinct, at this night, the stains are empty. Who remains, buries itself at home. Who wants to go, does it best: The snow is significantly stronger.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 15.01.2019, 08:48 PM