Broken streets and sloping slopes: In the health and climatic health resort of Bad Eisenkappel, the damage is particularly extensive after the storms with storms and rain. Some slopes are still moving and several road sections need to be completely renovated. The costs for the clean-up work are horrendous and run into millions. A local inspection.
It’s a look back that will give you goosebumps: Storm Yves in 2018 and Vaia a year later caused millions of dollars in damage, especially in Bad Eisenkappel. And this summer there was already the next storm disaster. The soil, which had become softer due to the enormous rainfall in June and July (117 and 331 liters per cubic meter respectively), could no longer contain the extreme amount of water of 348 liters in August.
“That is an extraordinary amount. The place is surrounded by mountain ranges that cut through hot air,” says Ubimet meteorologist Konstantin Brandes: “This summer the climatic health resort brought tons of rain. This is because Eisenkappel is directly embedded by the Karawanks. The same applies to neighboring Slovenia. When the moist air from the Adriatic Sea rises and breaks in the mountains, such amounts of water can be created.”
Broken roads, slipping slopes
Weeks after the devastating storm in August, huge traces can still be seen in the climatic health resort, as shown by the on-site inspection of the “Krone”. Roads and the R1 cycle path are broken, slopes are sliding and many blockages need to be removed from the Vellach and surrounding rivers. Mayor Elisabeth Lobnik: “People are still afraid of what will happen when the next rain comes.”
In the Leppengraben, where a slope has torn away the road, there is still danger: “The geologists are regularly on site to observe this.” Further down the ditch there is still no landline: “We have contacted Telekom several times with the question.” All emergency measures have already been implemented on roads and at many farm entrances: ‘There are two access roads, the damage amounts to hundreds of thousands of euros per farm.’ Construction work will start next week in Remscheniggraben, where a road has been demolished.
Lobnik: “What worries me are the many landslides in the municipality. It could start again at any moment.” The damage in Bad Eisenkappel is probably around two million euros: “The cycle path from us to Miklauzhof was especially badly affected.”
The current financial situation, where debts from previous storms still have to be repaid, is causing the mayor a headache: “Despite help from the federal and state governments. Where are we going to get the rest of the money?”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
