Army helicopters have been bringing water free of charge.
Keystone
As the dry weather continues, Swiss army helicopters have been bringing emergency water supplies to cattle farmers in high mountain pastures.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-ATS/jc
The army on Friday carried out is ninth operation of this kind since July 20, bringing several thousand litres of water to high mountain pastures above Weesen, in canton St. Gallen. The water comes from the nearby Walensee lake, according to spokeswoman Delphine Allemand.
Farmers are not charged for the deliveries, she told the Swiss news agency SDA-ATS. The helicopter operations are financed from the regular army budget, since they also serve as training for the pilots. Another spokesperson said at the beginning of the week that the army nevertheless only intervenes as a last resort when private companies cannot do such operations.
So far, the army has intervened only in eastern Switzerland, but may soon be flying also over parts of French-speaking western Switzerland, where canton Vaud on Friday activated its drought and heatwave plan for the pre-Alps and Jura regions.
The heatwave is expected to continue for several more days, according to the MeteoSwissExternal link weather authorities, with temperatures below 600 metres reaching as high as 32 to 36 degrees Celsius (90-96 degrees F) this weekend.
Popular Stories
More
Climate solutions
Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Switzerland plans to open Venice’s Palazzo Trevisan to wider audience
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry is taking over the management of the Palazzo Trevisan in Venice, which until now had been overseen mainly by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
United States and China start tariff talks in Geneva
This content was published on
The United States and China have started talks in Geneva aiming to de-escalate a dispute that threatens to cut off trade between the world’s two biggest economies and damage the global economy.
Switzerland takes over investigation into SWISS emergency landing in Austria
This content was published on
Following the emergency landing of a Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plane in Austria last December, during which a crew member died, Austria has now handed over the investigation to Switzerland.
‘September 5’ takes top honours at German Film Awards
This content was published on
Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum's real-life thriller September 5, based on the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Munich Olympics, has won the Golden Lola.
Switzerland and US agree to accelerate tariff talks
This content was published on
After a meeting with US ministers in Geneva on Friday, the Swiss president intends to present Washington with a declaration of intent in the next two weeks.
This content was published on
The bise, a cold dry wind, played havoc with air traffic at Zurich Airport on Friday. Numerous flights were delayed and some were cancelled.
UBS reportedly in talks to sell hedge fund O’Connor
This content was published on
UBS is in talks to sell O'Connor, one of its hedge fund units (high-risk funds), to the US firm Cantor Fitzgerald, according to Bloomberg.
Six anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported a week in Switzerland
This content was published on
On average, almost six hate crimes are reported a week against LGBTQ+ people in Switzerland. Last year there were 309 cases.
Swiss authorities profit from unexchanged banknotes
This content was published on
The Swiss government and cantons will receive over CHF700 million from the Swiss National Bank because old banknotes worth almost CHF1 billion have not been exchanged.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland continues to swelter under heatwave
This content was published on
MeteoSwiss has issued a heat warning for the Italian-speaking region of Ticino, as the country continues to suffer the effects of the heat.
Weather authorities urge caution ahead of another week of severe heat and dryness
This content was published on
MeteoSwiss warned that temperatures this week in the Lake Geneva region and the southern canton of Valais would reach 31-35 degrees Celsius (88-95 degrees Fahrenheit).
This content was published on
A political scientist explains how a particular breed of alpine cow in establishing its “queen” can be used as an example for our own leaders.
This content was published on
The days are long and the work strenuous. And yet every summer, thousands of Swiss farmers trek up to the ‘Alp’ (the high pasture) with their herds.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.