Devastating Landslides Strike Alto Adige as Heavy Storms Hit Merano Region
A violent cloudburst in the Alto Adige region has triggered devastating landslides between Merano and Avelengo. With 69 residents evacuated and significant infrastructure damage reported, emergency crews continue to work under extreme weather alerts to secure the area and support affected families.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Violent storms caused massive mudslides in Merano and Avelengo, Alto Adige.
- Approximately 69 residents were evacuated; three homes were severely damaged.
- Emergency teams utilized helicopters for rescues and heavy machinery for debris removal.
- Provincial roads remain closed while officials monitor continued geological instability.
Severe weather conditions have caused widespread disruption in Alto Adige, with the region of Merano bearing the brunt of a violent cloudburst that struck on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The extreme meteorological event, characterized by heavy rainfall, led to significant landslides and debris flows that have left dozens of residents displaced and infrastructure severely damaged.
Meteorological data recorded approximately 50 millimeters of rain in just one hour within the Avelengo area, triggering a massive collapse of terrain near the provincial road leading to Scena. This landslide obstructed the Rio Weissplatter and Rio Bianco, causing an overflow of mud and debris that devastated three residential buildings located near the Trauttmansdorff Gardens. The impact was so severe that some residents were forced to seek safety on their rooftops before being rescued by emergency helicopters.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Damage Assessment in Alto Adige
The disaster resulted in 69 people being evacuated from their homes, including 39 residents in Merano and 30 in Avelengo. While five individuals sustained minor injuries, the primary focus remains on the structural safety of the affected area. Katharina Zeller, the mayor of Merano, has emphasized that many homes remain inaccessible due to heavy mud accumulation, rendering them currently uninhabitable. Local authorities, including the Civil Protection and volunteer fire departments, are working tirelessly to clear the debris and assess the geological stability of the slopes.
The local infrastructure in Alto Adige continues to face logistical challenges following the event. Several provincial roads, including the artery between Merano and Avelengo, remain closed to traffic as cleanup operations proceed with heavy machinery. Provincial President Arno Kompatscher visited the site to coordinate efforts, acknowledging the difficulty in forecasting such sudden and localized extreme weather events.
Local residents have noted that the damage caused by this storm is unprecedented in the last sixty years. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution, avoid restricted zones, and limit non-essential travel while the area remains under a state of alert. As the region braces for potential future storms, the community is focused on securing the damaged sites and providing necessary support to those displaced by the flooding.
