August 10, 2007 - 9:58 PM

Swiss examine flood control measures

As the flood situation slowly stabilises and clean-up operations get underway, experts have begun asking how the country can better prepare against future flooding.

The Federal Environment Office announced on Friday that, together with the cantons, it was keen to draw lessons from the recent storms and flooding – Switzerland's worst for two years.

Water levels rose and many lakes and rivers burst their banks on Thursday after two days of torrential rain across the country. Particularly hard hit were northwestern Switzerland and the central plateau.

Hundreds of people were evacuated, at least 10 people, including two firefighters, were injured, but no deaths were reported. Fears of a repeat of the widespread destruction caused by massive flooding in 2005 were largely avoided.

As an initial follow-up, the Federal Environment Office said it wanted to examine river and canal dykes, such as those along the River Aare, some of which date back to the 19th century and are no longer safe.

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