Government announces help for flood-hit areas
The government has announced aid for three cantons affected by severe flooding last October. At its session on Monday, the cabinet said it would make SFr150 million ($88 million) available for repairs to public buildings.
The government's contribution will cover approximately half the estimated cost of repairing the flood-damaged buildings.
The largest share of the cash will go to canton Valais, which was worst affected. Damage to public buildings in the canton is estimated at SFr290 million.
According to government estimates, the bad weather caused total damage of SFr310 million to public property.
A further SFr360 million in damage to private property is expected to be covered by insurance.
The government said its contribution would be drawn from the regular budget. It said it would consider supplementary payments if the need arose.
Mudslides triggered by heavy rains on October 14 caused the deaths of 16 people in canton Valais.
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