A dam in southern Norway has partially collapsed after days of heavy rain as a storm makes landfall, causing severe flooding and landslides in the country.
According to AP, Norwegian police initially considered demolishing part of the dam at the Braskereidfoss hydroelectric power station on the Glåma river, the longest and most watery in the country. The idea is to use a limited, controlled burst to relieve pressure on the dam, preventing the risk of downstream communities being flooded.
However, police spokesman Fredrik Thomson said that proposal was dropped after water began to overflow the dam.
The move comes after Cyclone Hans made landfall, causing chaos across northern Europe in recent days and plunging southern Norway into crisis following widespread flooding and landslides. The water level of rivers in this country is expected to continue to rise today (August 10).
The Guardian newspaper reported, an elderly woman in her 70s in Norway died on August 9 after falling into a stream. Meanwhile, authorities have evacuated 700-800 residents in the Innlandet district, where the Braskereidfoss hydroelectric power plant is located.
Floods and landslides caused all main roads connecting Oslo and Trondheim to be closed on August 8.
According to a police official from Innlandet County, authorities are coordinating with the company that owns the Braskereidfoss hydroelectric power station to closely monitor the situation of the dam.
The Norwegian National Hydrographic Institute (NVE) notes that areas in the east and central part of the country remain on red alert. Water levels in many rivers and streams are at record highs.