Billions needed for flood-control measures
The Hagneck canal in Bern is still in a critical zone (Keystone)
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As water levels slowly recede across Switzerland, calls for improved anti-flood measures continue to grow. The question of finance however remains unclear.
Government experts warned this weekend that an effective system of protection would require investment of several billion francs.
The government has budgeted SFr147 million ($123 million) a year for the next four years for flood-control measures.
But that is SFr100 million a year too little, according to Hans Peter Willi, head of hazard prevention at the Federal Environment Office.
Willi told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper that "more than ten billion francs" of investment was needed over the next 20 years.
But before any investments are made, those areas at risk must first be identified. The government will therefore press ahead with the creation of a hazard map.
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