Austria – Heavy Rain Triggers Deadly Landslides and Floods in South

Heavy rain and snow in parts of Austria has caused flooding and landslides leaving 2 people injured and 1 dead.

Flooding along the Gurk River in Austria, November 2019. Photo: Feuerwehr Gurk

Austria’s met agency Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG), said some areas of Upper Carinthia, East Tyrol and the southern regions of Salzburg saw 200 to 300mm of rain between 15 and 17 November.

News agency APA reported that one person died after a landslide in Bad Kleinkirchheim, district of Spittal an der Drau, in the state of Carinthia. The landslide occurred early on 18 November, almost completely destroying the house.

Elsewhere, a landslide in Bad Gastein, St. Johann im Pongau district, Salzburg state, destroyed 2 houses and injured 2 people.

Heavy rain has increased levels of the Gurk river in St. Veit an der Glan, Carinthia, where around 15 buildings have been evacuated by firefighters. As of 18 November the Gurk river at Weitensfeld (Ost) stood at 3.13 metres.

Levels of the Gurk River at Weitensfeld.

The severe weather has interrupted rail transport and power supply. Some parts of southern Austria were cut off after heavy snowfall.

ZAMG said more rain and snowfall in the south of Austria was likely on 19 November, although but not as extreme as in the last days.

Flooding along the Gurk River in Austria, November 2019. Photo: Feuerwehr Gurk