Valais most at risk of flooding

Friday, 17 July 2026 06:30

Valais is the canton where residents face the highest flood risk, with 24% of the population living in a hazard zone.

The University of Neuchâtel study compared six cantons across the plateau, the Alps and the Jura.

Jura came second, at 17.4%, with much of its population strung along fast-flooding streams.

In Valais, most people and infrastructure sit in the Rhône valley, where secondary rivers converge and water levels rise quickly in heavy rain.

Communities along the big plateau lakes are largely protected, thanks to dams like the Seujet on Lake Geneva and the Platzspitz on Lake Zurich.

More from Bitesize News

More jihadist cases reach court

Switzerland's federal prosecutor is running 140 investigations into suspected jihadist terrorism — the highest figure ever recorded.
Geneva activates heat alerts - again

Geneva has reactivated its extreme heat plan as scorching temperatures return.
Be careful watching eclipse

With tomorrow’s partial solar eclipse, safety experts are urging observers to wear only certified eclipse glasses — and to leave the photography to professionals.
Many hikers need rescuing

Nearly 4,000 people needed help in the mountains last year — a record.
Plants bloom in lake

Lake Geneva is being taken over by an explosion of aquatic plants this summer.
'On the Water Festival' great success

Nearly 3,000 people took to Lake Geneva on Saturday for the second edition of the ‘On The Water Geneva Festival’ — dancing from their boats to music blasted out in 360 degrees from a floating barge.