The Fios fault, a large crack that appeared in the slope of the mountain at a place called Les Fios in the Val d’Anniviers (VS), is closely scrutinized. It is expanding by 2 to 4 millimeters per day and has reached 300 meters in length in recent days. “The disaster scenario would be a general movement of the entire sliding mass, but what is more likely is the subsidence of the mass in successive packets,” explained geologist Michael Digout on RTS 7:30 p.m., Friday.
According to experts, a collapse could obstruct the Navizence, the river below, cause the formation of a temporary lake and lead to significant flooding, particularly when the snow melts. If no homes are located directly under the fault, the electricity network supplying the valley could be affected.
Further downstream, in Chippis (VS), the authorities are monitoring the situation closely, as the Navizence passes through the village. Work to raise and extend the dikes is planned before summer. Places have also been reserved in civil protection shelters in the event of an evacuation. An information session is planned for March 9.
(Su)
