Saturday, August 22, 2015

Flood danger not over – Bergens Tidende

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– We do not think it’s something that’s going to happen today, but it is uncertain what will happen tonight or tomorrow morning. Then we can get an overtopping of the reservoir where glacial flows down, says glaciologist Hallgeir Elvehøy in NVE.



In helicopter

It was on Friday that NVE issued flood warnings. They have monitored the glacier in the past six weeks. On Friday, police, Luster Municipality and Civil Defence called in and a crisis team set. Hydro immediately began tappa from the magazine in Fivlamyranedammen, where much of the water comes down. This pond is a few kilometers below glacial lake up by Hardbardsbreen.

On Friday and Saturday sank the water powerful, which led to much water in Fortun river. Hydro also monitors the water level here.

Saturday morning was Hallgeir Elvehøy up in the helicopter with colleagues in NVE, representatives from Hydro and the mayor of Luster.

The magazine drops in Luster

Experts on road in a helicopter to check glacial lake that threatens Fortunsdalen in Luster. Experts anticipate a small overflow Sunday.

– What we saw up on the glacier today is within what we expected, says Elvehøy.

Thus, residents of Fortunsdalen not be secure that they do not have to be evacuated before Sunday morning. The alarm can only be called off then.

– Not timid

Since he was up on the glacier by helicopter Friday, the water in the ice-dammed lake dropped by five meters. Last night it was ten degrees in the mountains. That means it melts rapidly up on the glacier. In addition, there are some snow that melts in the region.

– We are uncertain about how much water there is left of the water level above the glacier when the magazine is full, says Elvehøy.

Luster was notified flood risk has already three weeks ago. Tuesday they were told that something was going on and Friday at 13.00 got mayor Ivar Kvalen telephone that the alarm would go.

But none of those risks being evacuated have left their houses so far.

– Fortundølene are familiar with the river. They are not timid, says Kvalen to BT.

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