Rivers flooding, roads closing and bridges collapsing. Extreme weather Hans is moving across Norway and several communities are isolated after more than 100 roads are closed.
In eastern Norway, the extreme weather has led to increased water levels in several rivers. The Norwegian Water and Energy Authority (NVE) states that the water level in the river Gudbrandsdalslågen is seven times higher than normal, writes the public service company NRK.
Close to 4,000 people had to leave their homes on Thursday due to the risk of mudslides and flooding. In Hønefoss alone, just south of Innlandet, more than 1,700 people have been evacuated as a result of floods in the river Storelva, which flows through the city centre.
– The water is expected to rise for at least another couple of days and the water level may rise by one meter, says TV2’s reporter Torkil Stoltz to TV4 Nyheterna directly from Hønefoss.
“We panicked a bit”
According to the reporter, many people have come to Storelva to see the large rapids overflowing on both sides. He describes the atmosphere there as “mixed” of both seriousness with people being forced to leave their homes and curiosity.
The police have cordoned off several places around Hønefoss due to the large amounts of water.
– These are water levels that we have never seen before in these areas, says Torkil Stoltz.
Swede Niclas Berggren, who lives in Hønefoss, was given an hour to leave his home, he tells Sveriges Radio Väst.
– They came and knocked on the door and said that now you have to leave, you have one hour, he says and adds:
– There was a bit of a panic, we collected the most important ones and tried to include things that cannot be replaced like some photos and so on.
The danger is not over
On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre received a situation update in a meeting with NVE.
– What we will see is that it is red level in many places in southern Norway. It could be about the highest water level in 50 years or more, says Gahr Støre, to NTB, after the meeting.
Gahr Støre warned of continued rising water levels in rivers and streams, but also points to the danger of race. He adds that the most critical points will move south.
– It is a serious warning for the next few days. The danger is by no means over, said the prime minister.
The coming days will be critical, according to the prime minister. Local communities are getting more resources, including more helicopters and medical teams. So far, the government has, among other things, deployed seven extra helicopters to assist in the evacuation work.
Minister calls for crisis meeting
Agriculture Minister Geir Pollestad has called for a crisis meeting on Thursday.
– I have invited agricultural organizations and the forestry industry to get a picture of what the situation looks like, says Pollestad to the newspaper Nationen.
Over a hundred roads were closed late Wednesday afternoon. Between Trondheim and Östlandet, where Oslo is located, among other things, only two national roads are open with limited capacity for heavy traffic. The authorities have therefore issued a general call for all major lorry transport to be stopped.