After the dramatic rockfall in Oberlängenfeld in Tyrol, flood control experts will take a closer look on Monday at the rockfall nets on the slope above the settlement. The destroyed network needs to be repaired.
As reported, the center of Längenfeld scraped past a catastrophe on Friday night. From a height of about 70 meters above the valley floor, a number of boulders measuring up to five cubic meters from the slope or wall above plunged into the village. Miraculously, they came to a stop on an access road right in front of the first residential buildings. Fortunately, there were no injuries or material damage.
Incidents more than once
On their way through the valley, the boulders broke through one of the numerous protective nets. According to state geologist Thomas Figl, the networks were set up about 20 years ago. “There have certainly been incidents in this area before, especially because individual blocks were also secured with anchors,” says the expert, who got a picture of the situation on Friday. The driveway and the rear of a house will remain temporarily closed.
On Monday, the torrent and avalanche control experts will examine the nets to take measures or to renew the devastated area.
Rock was weakened
“The rock had weakened in this area, the rock was fatigued, so the incident happened without much difficulty,” explains the geologist. The safety nets would no longer be up to date. “Today they are sized differently, but there can be no absolute protection,” emphasizes Figl.
No increase over a long period
This year – probably due to heavy rainfall and intensive alternation of frost and thaw – there are more stone chips in Tyrol. However, no increase over a longer period can be derived from this. “In the long-term average, the number of such events is in equilibrium,” Figl says. Between 2015 and 2020 there were only a few rockfalls.
Source: Krone
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