Couple in mountain distress

Avalanches and heavy squalls cause emergencies

(Bild: ÖAMTC)

Heavy gusts of wind sweep across parts of Carinthia. This causes fire department operations. 

It is already deep winter in Carinthia's mountains. The cold front of the past few days has brought masses of rain as well as snow. However, according to the provincial alarm and warning center (Lawz), there have been no major incidents so far. Only strong gusts of wind have kept the fire departments on their toes. Like Saturday morning, when the sirens were wailing in Liesertal. Trees fell between Rennweg and Krems. In the Spittal district in particular, the emergency services had to be called out more often during the night. Otherwise, however, it was quiet. 

Fallen trees also blocked the road on the Hochrindl. 20 trees had to be removed by the fire departments. 

Households without power 
1600 households have been without power since the early hours of Saturday morning. "Fallen trees are obstructing the power supply. Our employees are on site," announced Robert Schmaranz from Kelag. Particularly affected are higher areas in Villach-Land, Feldkirchen and Spittal.

Mountain rescue also required
Two 18-year-olds were caught in the middle of the bad weather when they set off on a multi-day hiking tour in the Ankogel group in Mallnitz on September 9th. 

The tour led over several days from Mallnitz towards Malta. Due to the predicted onset of winter on September 12, the two had to abandon their tour and spend the night in a self-catering hut. Despite the bad weather with fresh snow and strong gale-force winds, the couple attempted the descent from the self-catering hut towards Mallnitz on Friday. 

Avalanches and emergency calls
Avalanches broke loose from the steep mountain slopes and the hikers lost their bearings. However, they managed to return to the self-catering hut. Due to the steep terrain, an alternative route was not possible and the holidaymakers made an emergency call on their cell phones. Emergency services rescued the two slightly hypothermic hikers in difficult weather conditions.