Summer storms cause damage in Zurich

Zurich experienced significant disruptions Friday evening as severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds, leading to localized flooding and damage across the city. The storm, which followed a day of temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, moved across Zurich for approximately two hours.

According to city officials, several people were injured by falling trees, including a 16-year-old who was transported to the hospital in critical condition. MeteoNews reported that Zurich received over 50 liters of rain per square meter, with some areas like Sihlbrugg recording 57 liters. This downpour caused rainwater to enter buildings, including Zurich's main train station.

Strong winds uprooted trees, blocking tram lines and leading to service disruptions. Damaged power lines also caused operational halts. At Zurich Airport, flights were temporarily suspended due to high winds, with some aircraft forced to perform go-arounds during landing attempts. Emergency services responded to numerous calls, with 730 fire department and 130 ambulance requests logged in the canton of Zurich.

The thunderstorms provided temporary relief from a heatwave, for which MeteoSchweiz had issued warnings for significant heat levels. The extreme weather impacted not only the city of Zurich but also surrounding regions, including Bülach, Bassersdorf, Dübendorf, Erlenbach, and Meilen.

“

The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed. Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing. No further information can be provided at present.