Floods, landslides in Switzerland

Many areas of central and northern Switzerland were flooded following heavy rains during the week of 21-25 August 2005. The canton of Lucern was particularly hard-hit, as well as the city of Bern. Towns along the Reuss and Emme rivers were flooded, while many towns and villages in the regions of Entlebuch and Willisau were left isolated. A number of landslides occurred in the Entlebuch region. In the canton of Lucerne, two firemen were killed by a mudslide on 22nd August. Swiss authorities reported six dead and thousands of residents evacuated.