The canton of Valais, where Zermatt is located, was hit by heavy rains on Midsummer’s Eve.
In Switzerland, Zermatt, known for its winter sports center, has been blocked due to floods caused by heavy rains and melting snow, says Svets’ German-language broadcasting company SRF.
The river running through the alpine village has overflowed its banks into several streets. Zermatt is blocked from land connections, because so far the last train ran from there on Friday and the road connection was also closed. The railway and road run next to the flooded river.
Schools did not open on Friday and dozens of people had to be evacuated from their homes.
A flood warning is in effect for the entire canton of Valais. The authorities have also banned hiking on the banks of the Rhône River and local evacuations continue.