GIETRO 1595

 

Event description

 

The advance of Gietroz Glacier blocked the main valley and dammed the Dranse river. On May 25, 1595, the ice dam failed and 20 Mio m3 bursted out. The flood caused the death of 160 people and destroyed 500 buildings.

 

Damage

        

The flood caused the death of 160 people and destroyed 500 buildings.

 

Data source

 

www.glacierhazards.ch http://glaciology.ethz.ch/glacier-hazards/download/gietro.pdf

 

Remarks

 

Other events with less damage than 1595 and 1818, occured in 1549, 1640 and 1817.