As Flash Floods Hit Italian Town, Mud Tsunami Tear Through Streets

The continued catastrophic weather conditions in Europe and around appear to have no end in sight.

Recently, the Italian town of Bardonecchia was added to the list of affected regions after the Merdovine River took everyone off guard by flooding its banks, leaving the town totally covered in mud.

A video captured by a webcam shows the town engulfed in mudslides as river water rushes through the streets. People narrowly avoided the flood of water, mud, and debris caused by falling trees.

The flood was most likely caused by severe rain, which forced a mountain stream to overflow, resulting in a landslide.

Fortunately, no fatalities or missing persons have been recorded. Despite this, the town sustained substantial damage, resulting in the displacement of 120 residents.

In addition, fire and rescue personnel had to execute operations to rescue multiple people from a camper van.

Firefighters had to rescue six people from an overturned camper, and cars and streets were coated in thick sludge, but authorities searched overnight and claimed no one was missing.

On Monday, workers were cleaning up the mess and checking the levels of the nearby Frejus River.

Piedmont regional governor Alberto Cirio said on Facebook, “I signed the request for a state of emergency for the events that affected Bardonecchia last night. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but from today’s inspections, there emerges extensive damage to infrastructure, public buildings, especially the State Police barracks, which were made completely inaccessible, private buildings, and vehicles”.

Bardonecchia is a town in the Italian Piedmont region. It is located in the Alps near the French border and is well-known as a skiing resort in the winter as well as for hiking and outdoor activities destination in the summer. Its strategic location in the Alps makes it a hub for both winter and summer recreational activities.

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