Drought-affected Alpine pastures get emergency help
Emergency measures and funds are needed to ferry water to cow pastures in the Alps where hot weather is drying up herd reservoirs.
Keystone
The Swiss Mountain AidExternal link foundation is providing emergency aid to combat drought in mountain pastures. The foundation has allocated CHF500,000 ($503,000) to cover the costs of drinking water supply.
Switzerland is experiencing its lowest rainfall in nearly a century, the charity noted in a statement on Tuesday. Since the start of weather records in 1864, there have been only three periods between April and July with less rainfall.
Alpine farms are particularly affected by the heatwave as the soil dries up under the scorching heat. Transporting water by tanker truck, or even by helicopter in the most remote areas, is costly. Dairy cows need as much as 100 litres per day in such high temperatures,.
Farmers cannot shoulder the problem alone, says the charity, which has committed to covering about half of the total costs of water transportation to Alpine pastures.
“As a result of water shortages, farms would be deprived of fodder for the winter months,” explained the foundation’s project manager, Kurt Zgraggen.
The Swiss Army helps the Canton Vaud to manage the consequences of the heat wave.
Keystone
Meanwhile, an army-backed operation to transport water to livestock in summer pastures is underway in the mountainous canton of Vaud in western Switzerland.
Super Puma helicopters are being used to bring water to cows grazing in the Jura Mountains and sub-Alpine pastures, the Swiss News Agency reported.
There are some 40,000 head of cattle summering in the region, according to the cantonal joint chiefs of staff cited by the agency on Tuesday.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
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.