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Drainage tunnel to stop rockfall

Wednesday, 16 August 2023 06:30

Brienz rockfall

Geologists in canton Graubünden have unveiled a radical new idea to stabilize the mountainside that was threatening the village of Brienz a few weeks ago.

All the residents were forced to leave on fears rocks could crash through homes and farms. 

But the scientists believe tunnelling under the mountain would drain away any excess water – which would prevent any further rock falls. 

Already an experimental tunnel 650 metres long has been built, but it will need to be 1 and a half kilometres long to be fully effective. 

The project will cost CHF 40m.

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