In Norway, thousands of people have been brought to safety because of massive flooding after a dam burst. The water entered through the side of the Braskereidfoss hydroelectric power station, police said on Wednesday. The rising water level flooded the plant, which is now no longer in operation. At the moment, however, “no further measures are being taken at the power plant”.
The consequences are currently not serious, explained the power plant operator Hafslund. “So far it looks like the water diversion through the dam is working well.”
It had previously been said that blasting the dam on the Glomma River, the country’s longest river, was being considered. Originally, the Norwegian armed forces were asked for support because the dam Locks apparently could not be opened due to a power failure of the generators.
In a separate statement, police said they had started evacuating residents around the flooded river. She is also working on reducing the water pressure at the local train station.
The storm “Hans” caused devastation in Scandinavia
From several other regions of the country, the police also reported evacuations from flooded areas. In Innlandet, one of the worst affected regions, many people were cut off from the outside world because more than hundred roads blocked by landslides and floods were.
In this context, Innlandet’s regional mayor, Aud Hove, spoke of a “crisis situation of national proportions”. In many places, the emergency services are “unable” to get through to those who need help.
The Minister for Justice and Public Safety, Emilie Enger Mehl, also stated that the situation was “very difficult in large parts of the country”. Her ministry therefore provided seven additional helicopters to support the rescue services.
Norway and neighboring Sweden have been struggling with the effects of storm “Hans” since the weekend. Heavy rains as a result of the extreme storm triggered numerous floods and landslides in both Scandinavian countries. (AFP)