A landslide occurred in the Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée area this Tuesday, October 8, while heavy amounts of rain fell on the Alpes-Maritimes department. In Nice, Avenue de la Sirole is also closed due to falling electrical poles.
Significant amounts of rain have been recorded since the beginning of the morning of Tuesday, October 8 in the Alpes-Maritimes. Significant floods accompanied by marked gusts of wind which caused some damage.
In Nice, avenue de la Sirole is closed at number 125 “due to the fall of electric poles and public lighting”, indicates the metropolis of Nice Côte d’Azur, in a situation update shared with the mid-day.
“Enedis and the metropolitan teams are mobilized to restore traffic as soon as possible,” assures the metropolis.
Landslide and closed road
And while “by the end of the episode, it should still fall around 20 to 30 millimeters on the middle country”, all with “gusts in the showers of around 30 to 50 km/h “, it is also on the Maralpine heights that the bad weather has repercussions with a rock slide noted on the RM2205, which was thus closed “downstream of Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée”.
“A geologist is on site and metropolitan teams are in the process of removing debris from the road. A diversion is in place via the RM30/RD30 via the Col de la Couillole,” announces the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis.
Finally, the latter announces that “the fording of Haut Boréon (Boréon Lake) has been damaged by bad weather” and that the Joint Syndicate for Floods, Development and Water Management (Smiage) “will intervene quickly to restore it, in accordance with the delegation entrusted by the Metropolis.
Furthermore, the concrete structures planned by SMIAGE for the final development of the sector will be installed by the end of the month.
In order to best inform the population during the episode of bad weather at the start of the week, a special number has been set up by the metropolis, to be reached by dialing 04.97.13.56.00.
Alexis Lalemant Journalist
Landslide Strikes Alpes-Maritimes Department: A Look into the Region’s Geological Vulnerability
In a sobering reminder of the region’s geological vulnerability, a landslide occurred on October 8 in the Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée area of the Alpes-Maritimes department, coinciding with heavy rainfall. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for similar events in the future. As it turns out, this is not an isolated incident, and the region has a history of landslides triggered by rainfall.
A History of Landslides in the Alpes-Maritimes Department
The Alpes-Maritimes region has been prone to landslides, with several studies highlighting the region’s susceptibility to these natural disasters. According to a case study published on ResearchGate [[1]], the region has been subject to shallow landslide rainfall thresholds, which are closely linked to heavy rainfall events. This suggests that the region’s geology is particularly vulnerable to landslides triggered by intense rainfall.
In fact, a network of seismic stations has been established in the region to monitor landslide activity, as seen in the case of the ZP network established in 2020 [[2]]. This network was created in response to a landslide that occurred in the Ullion valley, Alpes-Maritimes, in October 2020, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of landslide activity in the region.
Geological Vulnerability of the Mercantour Massif and the French Riviera
The Mercantour Massif and the French Riviera, which encompass the Alpes-Maritimes department, have been identified as areas of high landslide activity [[3]]. A study published in 1996 highlighted the serious hazards posed by landslides in these regions, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and monitoring to mitigate the risks associated with these natural disasters.
Conclusion
The recent landslide in the Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée area serves as a stark reminder of the Alpes-Maritimes department’s geological vulnerability. With a history of landslides triggered by rainfall, it is essential that authorities and researchers continue to monitor the region’s landslide activity and develop strategies to mitigate the risks associated with these natural disasters. As the region’s population continues to grow, it is crucial that we prioritize landslide risk management to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.
