Switzerland faces water crisis from drought and runoff risks

Switzerland is facing significant environmental challenges related to water management, including extreme drought and the risks of surface runoff from heavy rainfall.

Severe drought has caused river levels to drop to record lows, forcing dozens of run-of-river hydropower plants and hundreds of turbines across the country to shut down. Operators, such as Thurkraftwerk AG, report unprecedented low water levels, and the Swiss Association of Electricity Companies (VSE) notes reduced production even in storage power plants. With long-term forecasts predicting minimal rainfall, further shutdowns of small-scale hydropower plants are expected.

Simultaneously, authorities are addressing the danger of surface runoff, which accounts for more than half of all flood damage in Switzerland. To improve disaster prevention, the Surface Runoff Hazard Map (GOA) will undergo a comprehensive update. Scheduled for release in early 2027, the new version will utilize improved terrain models and precipitation data to provide more precise information on flow directions, speeds, and intensities to assist in urban planning and building protection.