Fribourg Seeks Army Aid for Water Supply to Drought-Stricken Alpine Pastures

The Fribourg cantonal government has formally requested military support to address severe water shortages affecting its alpine pastures. Due to an exceptional drought, exacerbated by ongoing heatwaves across Europe since May, the region's mountain pastures are running critically low on water for livestock.

The canton has appealed to the Swiss army's operations command for aerial support, aiming to supplement the efforts of Swiss Helicopter SA in delivering water. This request for assistance is expected to last until August 31st, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Alpine farmers who can still access water via roads are reportedly organizing to transport water from lower valleys. However, pastures located in the Fribourg pre-Alps have reached the limits of their water reserves, making external intervention necessary. This situation underscores the significant impact of climate change and prolonged dry spells on Switzerland's agricultural sector.

The cantonal authorities are seeking a collaborative solution involving military resources to ensure the welfare of the livestock and the continuity of alpine farming operations during this critical period of drought.