View of Hurricane Hans Valdres Oslo Norway
A view shows residential buildings damaged after Hurricane Hans in Valdres, near Oslo, Norway, August 8, 2023.
Norway evacuated thousands of people as rivers overflowed to their highest level in at least 50 years on Wednesday, and homes and businesses were submerged or swept away by landslides.
Major roads were closed, and rail services suspended across much of southern Norway as rivers overflowed their banks, and authorities warned of more flooding to come in the days to come as the water moved towards lower coastal areas.
Innlandet county, one of the worst-hit areas in Norway, said many people were isolated by the floods and first responders may not be able to reach those in need.
"We are in a situation of national emergency," Innlandet Mayor Aud Hove said in a press release.
The government on Wednesday decided to deploy more helicopters to take part in the evacuation, the ministry of justice and public security told broadcaster TV2.
So far no deaths have been recorded as a result of the disaster, say Norwegian authorities. (Reuters)
Pemandangan Badai Hans Valdres Oslo Norwegia
Pemandangan menunjukkan bangunan tempat tinggal yang rusak setelah Badai Hans di Valdres, dekat Oslo, Norwegia, 8 Agustus 2023.
👉 Norwegia mengevakuasi ribuan orang saat sungai meluap ke level tertinggi setidaknya dalam 50 tahun pada hari Rabu, dan rumah serta bisnis terendam atau tersapu oleh tanah longsor.
Jalan-jalan utama ditutup, dan layanan kereta api ditangguhkan di sebagian besar Norwegia selatan karena sungai-sungai meluap, dan pihak berwenang memperingatkan lebih banyak banjir yang akan datang di hari-hari mendatang ketika air bergerak menuju daerah pesisir yang lebih rendah.
Kabupaten Innlandet, salah satu daerah terparah di Norwegia, mengatakan banyak orang terisolasi akibat banjir dan petugas pertolongan pertama mungkin tidak dapat menjangkau mereka yang membutuhkan.
"Kami berada dalam situasi darurat dimensi nasional," kata Walikota Innlandet Aud Hove dalam siaran pers.
Pemerintah pada hari Rabu memutuskan untuk mengerahkan lebih banyak helikopter untuk mengambil bagian dalam evakuasi, kata kementerian kehakiman dan keamanan publik kepada penyiar TV2.
Sejauh ini tidak ada kematian yang tercatat akibat bencana tersebut, kata pihak berwenang Norwegia. (Reuters)