Flood waters at the Swiss village obliterated by a glacial avalanche continued to rise by a staggering 80cm (2.6ft) every hour overnight, raising fears that a tidal wave could soon swamp and destroy more nearby communes.
The danger of flooding and further erosion remains high around the Alpine village of Blatten, which saw 90 per cent of the town destroyed on Wednesday when the Birch glacier partially collapsed.
Experts had anticipated a growing lake forming between the debris would start to overflow overnight. At one point on Thursday, water levels in the reservoir were rising at three metres (9.8ft) every hour, Tages-Anzeiger reports, with water still crashing in from the Lonza River.
State Councilor Stéphane Ganzer said the possibility of a massive flood wave rolling down the valley cannot yet be ruled out. Temperatures of 20C (68F) are expected on Friday, heightening the risk of snow melting and adding to the build up.
Fearing the potential overspill, regional command staff have prepared two more local villages for rapid evacuation, announced overnight. Some 2,000 residents of Gampel and Steg have been asked to organise alternative accommodation beyond the valley.
