Storm Helicopters bring drinking water to the upper Maggia Valley

Helicopters are to bring drinking water to the villages that have been cut off from the outside world since a violent storm hit the upper Maggia Valley at the weekend. Six villages have had no electricity, water or drinking water since Saturday.

According to information from the Ticino cantonal police on Monday morning, the villages of Menzonio, Brontallo, Prato Sornico, Peccia, Piano di Peccia and Veglia are without water supply and electricity.

In Mogno and Fusio even further up the Maggia Valley, there is also no drinking water or electricity, although there is water for domestic use, the police state.

A little further down the Maggia Valley in the municipalities of Cevio, Bignasco and Cavergno, electricity and water supplies are guaranteed - but no drinking water.

To facilitate the rescue work, the Ticino emergency services are asking the population to reduce travel in the canton to a minimum and not to visit the areas affected by the storm.