Government Federal Council wants to support cantons financially after storms

SDA

13.9.2024 - 10:27

The storms in the summer caused extensive damage, as here in Brienz in the Bernese Oberland. The Federal Council wants to guarantee the cantons additional financial aid. (archive picture)
The storms in the summer caused extensive damage, as here in Brienz in the Bernese Oberland. The Federal Council wants to guarantee the cantons additional financial aid. (archive picture)
Keystone

The Federal Council wants to provide the cantons of Graubünden, Ticino, Valais, Vaud and Bern with additional financial aid following the severe storms last summer. It is requesting additional credits totaling CHF 56.5 million from parliament.

In June and July, several severe storms occurred in the cantons of Graubünden, Ticino, Valais and Vaud. They claimed at least ten lives and caused extensive damage. On August 12, another severe storm occurred in the Bernese Oberland, which also caused considerable damage in some places.

According to an analysis by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the affected cantons will have to spend a total of around CHF 119 million to achieve a level of safety comparable to that before the storms.

The additional federal credits totaling CHF 56.5 million requested by the federal government on Friday for participation in the restoration and replacement of protection infrastructure are spread over the years 2025 and 2026.

SDA