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Extreme weather causes chaos in the Swiss-French Alps

Col du Lautaret and the Col du Glandon closed after severe rainfall. La Bérarde village hit by huge rock and mudslide. Final km of Galibier still closed due to snow.

La Bérarde village hit by huge rock and mudslide.

Extreme rainfall has caused chaos across the French and Swiss Alps. The French mountain village of La Bérarde, has been completely washed away in parts, by a devastating rock and mudslide. La Berarde is also a popular spot for climbers and hikers in Ecrins National Park in the French Alps. 

Even worse, residents of La Bérarde, not far from Le Bourg d'Oisans had to be rescued by helicopter. The road to the village is completely impassable after being washed away including destruction of several bridges. Huge mounds of rocks and boulders and mud slid down the mountainside and completely engufed the village. 

The climbs of the Col du Lautaret and the Col du Glandon near Bourg d'Oisans, northwest of La Bérarde have also been affected.

This could cause even more disruption to the La Marmotte Granfondo Alps which was already brought forward a day because of Snap French Elections. The event which attracts over 5,000 cyclists from around the world, uses both climbs before finishing atop L'Alpe du Huez from the base of Bourg d'Oisans. The final km of the Galibier climb was still closed due to snow, although the tunnel remains open.

Arguably one of the hardest Gran Fondo's in Europe, the event has been re-scheduled to take place next weekend on Saturday June 29th. Participants are advised follow the organizers social media channels and newsletter closely all of next week.

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The rain also caused major chaos elsewhere, the well-known Swiss mountain village of Zermatt was completely cut off from the outside world by flooding and landslides.

The video below shows the horrific result of a huge mud and boulder slide after the torrential rain poured of the mountains in a matter of minutes.

In French mountain village of Tignes, the permanent training base of Team Jumbo-Visma for the third year in a row, where it is currently conducting altitude training ahead of the Tour de France, the rainfall was so heavy that there are concerns about whether the summer holiday season can take place.

Update June 24th, 2024 >> Good news for 2024 La Mamotte Granfondo Alps Participants!

 
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