Partially single lane

Houses evacuated after mudslides in East Tyrol

In the municipality of Prägraten, there were several mudslides and in some cases also blockages.

(Bild: Land Tirol)

Mudslides, flooding and power outages: A heavy thunderstorm cell passed over East Tyrol on Sunday evening. Among other things, the Virgental road between Virgen and Prägraten had to be closed due to blockages. The road was reopened on Monday evening.

"After several mudslides and in some cases also blockages on Sunday evening in Prägraten in East Tyrol, the L24 Virgentalstraße from the municipal border between Virgen and Prägraten as well as other accompanying roads and paths will remain closed until Monday morning in any case," according to the province of Tyrol.

Between the districts of Bobojach and Wallhorn, the road was buried up to two meters deep over a length of around 60 meters. Several streams also burst their banks between Prägraten and the district of Hinterbichl and have displaced the road.

In the end, there was no need to evacuate houses as originally assumed.

Das Land Tirol

Evacuation not necessary
On Sunday evening, it was initially reported that several houses had to be evacuated for safety reasons following water ingress. However, according to the province of Tyrol, this was not the case. Although water had flowed into cellars, the residents were allowed to stay in their homes. "In the end, there was no evacuation of houses as originally assumed", the province announced.

Fortunately, no people were injured. This made it possible to intervene quickly. However, some bridges are gone and there is also a lot of damage to the infrastructure.

Bürgermeister Gottfried Islitzer

Luck in misfortune
The residents must have had several guardian angels. Mayor Gottfried Islitzer commented: "Fortunately, no one was injured. This allowed us to intervene quickly. However, some bridges are gone and there is also a lot of damage to the infrastructure."

Debris and mud displaced the Virgentalstraße.

(Bild: Land Tirol)

Provincial geology requested
The volunteer fire department was deployed during the night and began clearing up the site. "The municipality has requested the services of the provincial geology department for Monday morning," emphasizes the province. A meeting will then be held to discuss the situation and decide whether to open the provincial road and how to proceed. 

The municipality of Prägarten am Großvenediger is therefore currently temporarily inaccessible via the road. An emergency route has been set up for emergency services.

Das Land Tirol

Municipality cut off from the outside world
After a local inspection on Monday morning, it is clear: the Virgentalstraße between Bobojach and Wallhorn will remain closed until further notice. "The municipality of Prägarten am Großvenediger is therefore currently temporarily inaccessible via the road. An emergency route has been set up for emergency services," says the provincial government. Mayor Gottfried Islitzer adds: "This is working as planned. Since the early afternoon, we have also been able to open the state road briefly for emergencies. There was transportation via the emergency road." The power and water supply has also been secured. 

Clean-up work in full swing, road soon to be cleared
On Monday morning, the trenches will be surveyed by employees from the provincial geology department and torrent and avalanche control. The situation will then be better assessed. The clean-up work can then begin.

We are working flat out to clear the roads. We will probably be able to reopen the main road this evening - provided the weather doesn't throw a spanner in the works.

Bürgermeister Gottfried islitzer

If the weather cooperates, the country road could be reopened as early as Monday evening, as Islitzer explains: "We are working flat out to clear the roads. The country road has been closed in several places and is still being cleared. We will probably be able to reopen them this evening - provided the weather doesn't throw a spanner in the works." In any case, it is certain that two lanes of the country road will be open between 5 and 6 pm. According to the municipal website, work will resume afterwards. "The duration of the closure is not yet foreseeable."

Road reopened again
As predicted, the road was reopened to all traffic on Monday evening at around 7.30 pm. The province said: "We are pleased to inform you that the L24 Virgentalstraße in Prägraten am Großvenediger in East Tyrol can be reopened to all traffic with immediate effect. In the area of the Hinterbichl district, the road is only open to one lane of oncoming traffic until further notice and is regulated by traffic signs." The clean-up and repair work will continue on Tuesday. Traffic may be restricted if necessary. However, as far as we know at present, it is no longer necessary to close the road.