Bad weather: 180 million to support the most affected Swiss cantons

Post on: 26.05.2025

Following the bad weather, the summer of 2024 was particularly dramatic for many regions of Switzerland, overwhelmed by torrential rains, landslides, and hailstorms. Several alpine and pre-alpine areas suffered extensive damage. Among the most affected are Ticino, especially the upper valleys such as Vallemaggia and Verzasca, Valais with flooding of the Rhone that affected vineyards and roads, Graubünden, where landslides compromised the road network in Surselva and Engadine, Canton Uri with interruptions on the Gotthard railway line, and the Bernese Oberland.

According to the Federal Office for the Environment, the damage toll has exceeded 250 million Swiss francs. The rains have also put many existing protective structures in crisis, demonstrating that the frequency and intensity of extreme events are putting a strain on public infrastructure.

Bad Weather | 180 million for reconstruction and prevention

In response to this situation, in May 2025, the Federal Council announced an extraordinary aid package amounting to 180 million Swiss francs. Of these, 150 million will be used to repair damaged cantonal roads, bridges, railways, and water facilities. The remaining 30 million are intended for direct assistance to farmers and tourism operators, who have suffered losses in crops, pastures, shelters, and accommodation facilities.

Another central objective of the investment is prevention. Part of the funds will be used to finance protective structures against future extreme weather events: these include anti-landslide barriers, reinforcement of riverbanks, construction of retention basins, and improvement of drainage systems in mountain villages. Cantons must submit detailed projects by the end of June 2025 outlining intervention priorities, expected timelines, and monitoring methods.

Bad Weather | Cantons already working on safety

Some cantons have already taken action. In Canton Uri, work has begun to stabilize rock walls along the Reuss valley, crucial to ensuring traffic flow on the Gotthard corridor. In Valais, new riverbank protections along the Rhone and advanced hydrometric alert systems are being implemented. In Ticino, the municipalities of Cevio, Brione, and Sonogno have started securing rural roads and building mobile barriers against floods.

The Confederation has committed to covering up to 60% of the costs of these projects, based on a technical evaluation shared with the cantons. The goal is not only to restore what has been damaged but to durably improve the resilience of the territory.

A long-term climate strategy

This extraordinary intervention is part of the broader federal plan for adapting to climate change for the period 2025–2030. Switzerland aims to strengthen the protection of inhabited areas and communication routes, and to also raise awareness among local authorities about the importance of prevention. Federal Councillor Albert Rösti emphasized that extreme weather phenomena are no longer exceptions but are at risk of becoming the norm. For this reason, he reiterated the importance of taking action now to avoid much more serious and costly damages in the future.

Official sources for further information

For those seeking more information, it is possible to consult the official page of the Federal Office for the Environment on the climate strategy, the reports from MeteoSwitzerland on extreme events, and the latest press releases from the Federal Council.