Avalanche, Inlandet | Avalanche in Jotunheimen – deployed several helicopters

(Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen): Just after 12 o’clock on Saturday, the emergency services received a report of an avalanche at Loftet in Jotunheimen.

Air ambulance and rescue helicopter participated in the search.

– We have been informed that there is a long landslide, approximately one hundred meters wide. It runs from Loftet mountain and towards Leirdalen. The landslide has been observed from afar by people in the area. There are several people in the area, but there is nothing to indicate that anyone has been taken by the landslide, operation manager Øyvind Bakken at the police in the interior told GD.

At 1.30 p.m., the police reported on X that the search had ended. No one has been reported missing or found.

There have been several avalanches in Jotunheimen in recent days. Danger level 3, significant avalanche danger has been reported for Jotunheimen for Saturday and Sunday. Those traveling in the area are asked to heed the warnings and be careful. Follow Varsom.no.

NVE also warned before the weekend of significant avalanche danger in Jotunheimen.

Sent out danger warning

– Sun and high daytime temperatures make the snow wet in all directions, it is easy to trigger avalanches and avalanches can loosen naturally, says the danger warning on Varsom.no, the warning service of NVE.

On Friday and Saturday, there is a significant risk of avalanches in Jotunheimen.

– There are unstable conditions. Be careful as the snow is wet and soft, urges NVE.

They also write in the landslide risk assessment that some landslides can be large.

– Clear weather at night causes the snow cover to freeze at high altitudes, but the sun and heat will quickly soften the snow, and the risk of avalanches will increase during the day, they report in the danger warning on Friday.

Weak layers in the snow cover

According to NVE, there are several weak layers in the snow cover, especially in higher ground in the northern part of Jotunheimen.

It is uncertain what happens when the heat sinks deeper into the snow cover, but it can lead to natural avalanche activity and some large avalanches.

– The snow cover will be unpredictable for a few days now until new snow and weak layers have melted and the moisture has been drained in all directions. The warm weather also creates a risk of landslides and screed breaks. Avoid staying under slip cracks and keep your distance from shovels, NVE recommends.