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CLIMATE CRISIS

EXPLAINED: How melting glaciers are shifting Switzerland’s borders

Extremely warm temperatures are melting Switzerland’s glaciers, leading to some surprising geopolitical challenges.

The melting of Switzerland's glaciers has been accelerating in recent years. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
The melting of Switzerland's glaciers has been accelerating in recent years. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Receding glaciers, which are now shrinking at a faster rate than before, are re-defining borders between Switzerland and Italy.

The border between Italy and Switzerland runs for 800.2 kilometres, much of which is mountainous. 

Parts of it run along glaciers which have formed part of the landscape for generations, but are now melting. 

For instance, melting snow and ice on and around the famed Matterhorn, which straddles both countries, is literally moving the borders.

How are the borders changing?

Alain Wicht, who is in charge of national border layouts at the Federal Office of Topography (Swisstopo), said it remains to be seen what the long-term implications are of the changes. 

Around two-thirds of Switzerland’s 7,000lm-long border is made up of natural borders, such as lakes, glaciers, rivers and mountains.

At present, Switzerland has not seen a net loss or a net gain of territory. 

“In some places, Switzerland has gained territory and in others it has lost it.”

However, in the future, it appears Switzerland is set to grow. 

Unlike administratively drawn borders, these can move when the land in question moves, i.e. in in the instance of landslides, a river shrinking or changing course – and the melting of glaciers. 

Pursuant to international law, when artificial borders are redrawn, a country cannot gain or lose territory – i.e. they must receive some additional territory to compensate for a loss. 

This is not the case with natural borders, which can see a country gain territory when the natural feature representing the border moves. 

According to Swiss tabloid Blick, melting glaciers will see Switzerland gain more land

“Overall, however, Switzerland should benefit from climate change, at least in terms of territory gains.”

“Glaciers are mainly found on the northern slopes. If they melt, the watershed line moves south. The surface of Switzerland will therefore increase.

What do the shifts mean for Switzerland?

This drift has logistical and practical implications, according to Wicht.

READ MORE: Why Switzerland’s glaciers are melting faster than usual this summer

For instance, “when an accident occurs, the question arises as to which country is responsible. And when train lines or roads cross the Alps, it should be clear whether they should stick to Italian or Swiss regulations for their construction and maintenance”.

The shift also affects the Testa-Grigia hut above Zermatt, according to a report in Blick on Sunday. 

The glacier surrounding the refuge has melted heavily in recent years.

Switzerland and Italy must agree on the location of the border to determine which country administers the hut.

There are also VAT implications depending on which country the hut is deemed to be in. 

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FLOODS

IN PICTURES: What’s the latest after Switzerland hit by devastating floods?

Parts of Switzerland including the canton of Graubünden and the resort of Zermatt were hit by huge floods over the weekend which left buildings and roads destroyed. Here's the latest as two people remain missing.

IN PICTURES: What's the latest after Switzerland hit by devastating floods?

A massive thunderstorm on Friday night unleashed the rivers in the eastern canton, causing a rock and mud avalanche in the municipality of Misox.

The resort of Zermatt, in nearby canton of Valais, was also impacted and was temporarily cut off from the rest of the country.

Additionally, landslide of mud and rubble destroyed a part of the north-south axis of the A13 motorway.

The collapsed section, between Thusis (GR) and Bellinzona (TI), is an important throughway for both passenger and commercial traffic, as it connects Switzerland with Italy.

This photograph shows signs at the entrance of the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

This aerial photograph shows a view of the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

According to the Graubünden cantonal police, this section will remain out of service “for months,” including the busy summer holiday period.

This is the update on these events:

Missing people

One of the victims, a woman, was found alive in rocks and mud on Saturday, and taken to a hospital. 

This photograph shows rocks around houses in the hamlet of Sorte, south of Lostallo in the Moesa Region in the Swiss canton of Graubunden (Grisons) after violent downpours caused floods and landslides on June 23, 2024. Photo: Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

The body of a man was found eight kilometres from where he went missing, police said.

The other two people remain missing at this point and  “the probability of finding them alive is low,” said William Kloter, spokesperson for Graubünden police.

Zermatt

After having been suspended over much of the weekend, public transport to the famous Alpine resort, where no cars are permitted, is again operating on a regular schedule.

You can find all the timetable here

The A13 motorway

While the repair work on the 200-metre collapsed section has already began, it is still unclear how long the motorway closure will last, given the extent of damage.

The Buffalora bridge on the A13 did not suffer too much damage.

This aerial photograph shows a view of the A13 motorway section which collapsed in an area flooded by the Moesa river near Mesocco in the Graubunden (Grisons) canton in Switzerland on June 23, 2024. -(Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)

However, a spokesperson for the Federal Roads Office told public broadcaster SRF on Monday that “with a bridge, you have to be able to ensure the structural stability. Work can only really begin once the floodwaters have receded. And that depends on the weather conditions.”

So what is the weather forecast for the affected areas?

According to meteorologist Simon Eschle, “there is no widespread rain in sight over the next few days. There will be occasional thunderstorms on Tuesday or Wednesday, but overall, there should be some relief for now.”

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