The government of the canton of Wallis declared a "special situation" on Thursday, April 17, 2025, due to severe weather conditions that have caused significant disruptions across the region. This declaration allows authorities to respond quickly to emergencies and request army assistance if necessary.
On Thursday morning, the area experienced exceptionally heavy snowfalls, leading to the closure of several roads and traffic routes, including the Simplon Pass and the railway line between Visp and Zermatt. The cantonal leadership organization (KFO) reported that these weather conditions had resulted in considerable disruptions on the traffic routes, leaving several towns cut off from the power supply.
In response to the dangerous conditions, authorities issued warnings about potential avalanches and falling trees. As a precaution, schools of all levels in the canton remained closed on Thursday, and the KFO advised residents to limit outdoor activities to essential movements only. They specifically recommended avoiding walking in forests or near trees and discouraged people from filming or photographing the severe weather events.
For those who had planned to travel to Wallis for the Easter holidays, the authorities urged them to postpone their arrival by one day if possible. The situation was compounded by the fact that the cantonal police operations center was overwhelmed with calls related to the severe weather. They reminded the public that emergency numbers, including 112, 117, and 118, should only be used for genuine emergencies.
Despite the challenges, some transportation services showed signs of improvement. The railway company BLS announced that the car transport at the Lötschberg was able to resume hourly service starting at midday. In the afternoon, the Regioexpress also resumed operations to Kandersteg, although passengers traveling between Frutigen and Kandersteg had to use a replacement bus earlier in the day.
Adelboden, a popular resort area, was cut off from surrounding regions until Thursday afternoon, when the road was finally cleared for traffic. However, the train service from Grindelwald to the Kleine Scheidegg remained out of operation due to the risk of avalanches.
Interestingly, the heavy precipitation that caused so much disruption also had a positive effect on shipping on Lake Brienz. After weeks of persistent drought that had lowered water levels, passenger ships were able to resume service from Interlaken Ost. Previously, the low water levels had forced the ships to operate from Bönigen, requiring passengers to take a bus to reach the departure point.
As the weather conditions continue to evolve, residents and travelers in Wallis are urged to stay informed and heed the warnings issued by local authorities. The declaration of a special situation underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated response to ensure public safety.
