Melting glaciers threaten to wipe out European villages - is the steep cost to protect them worth it?

In the Swiss village of Blatten, a major disaster struck when a part of the mountain and glacier above the village collapsed, burying homes, farms, and the church under tons of rock, mud, and ice. Fortunately, the 300 residents had been evacuated days before, after geologists warned that the mountain was becoming unstable. The evacuation saved lives, but the people of Blatten lost everything they had built over generations. Now, they are living in temporary housing in nearby villages, trying to figure out what comes next.

Matthias Bellwald, the mayor of Blatten, is leading the recovery efforts from a temporary office in the village of Wiler. He is hopeful that the site can be cleared by 2028 and that new homes will be ready by 2029. However, the cost of rebuilding is enormous, estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, or about one million dollars per resident. While donations from the public and promises of government support have helped, some people in Switzerland are questioning whether it is worth spending so much to rebuild a village that could be at risk again in the future.

Switzerland is a country full of mountains, and climate scientists warn that as the planet warms, glaciers and permafrost—the frozen ground that helps hold mountains together—are melting. This makes landslides and other natural disasters more likely. The Swiss government already spends nearly $500 million a year on protective structures, but experts say that real protection could cost much more. Some people are starting to wonder if it might be better to move away from dangerous areas instead of trying to protect every village.

For many Swiss people, though, the idea of abandoning their mountain villages is unthinkable. These villages are not just places to live; they are the heart of Swiss culture and identity. Traditions, local dialects, and unique customs like the Tschäggättä masks of the Loetschental valley are tied to these places. Losing them would mean losing a part of what makes Switzerland unique.

Other villages in Switzerland have faced similar threats. In Graubünden, the village of Brienz was evacuated more than two years ago because of instability in the mountain above. Heavy rains and rising temperatures have made the situation worse, and residents still cannot return. In the Bernese Oberland, the village of Kandersteg is also at risk, and residents have an evacuation plan in place. Some disasters have been deadly, like the 2017 rockslide near Bondo that killed eight hikers.

The debate over whether to rebuild or relocate is growing. Some editorials have questioned whether it makes sense to spend so much money to save every village, especially as climate change makes disasters more common. But many Swiss people feel a deep connection to their home villages, even if they now live in cities. The word 'heimat' means much more than just 'home'—it represents childhood memories, family history, and a sense of belonging.

Rebuilding Blatten will not be easy, but the people are determined. They know that living in the mountains will always come with risks, but they are not ready to give up on their way of life. As the clean-up continues, with help from the military and insurance companies, the people of Blatten are holding on to hope. They believe that with determination and support, they can rebuild their village and keep their traditions alive for future generations.