Precipitation

Rhine forelands are closed due to water levels

The Rhine forelands in Vorarlberg are being closed for safety reasons. Heavy rainfall is expected on Saturday, which will cause the water level to rise. The population is called upon to avoid the area.  

Because the water level of the Alpine Rhine will be higher on Saturday, the Rhine forelands in Vorarlberg, which are usually accessible to everyone - these are floodplains of the Alpine Rhine - have been closed from Lustenau to the mouth of the Rhine. This is a precautionary measure because the cycle paths in the Lustenau area pass close to the river. In Switzerland, however, the Rhine foreland remains open.

Heavy, sometimes thundery rainfall had been forecast in the Alpine Rhine catchment area. The levels of the tributaries would rise on Friday evening and during the night into Saturday, according to the "International Alpine Rhine Water Authority". The peak discharge at Diepoldsau was expected on Saturday morning, with a discharge of around 1000 cubic meters of water per second.

Avoid the Rhine forelands
The flood protection of the Alpine Rhine is designed for 3000 cubic meters per second. The population was asked not to stay near the Rhine so as not to hinder the work of the emergency services. For safety reasons, the Rhine embankments and the foreland should generally be avoided.