Landslide Risks in Riva: Calls for Urgent Action Remain Unaddressed

“La Rocchetta could pose a danger to Riva, but no one is doing anything about it”. Councilor Cristian Trinchieri is disappointed and concerned: “In January of last year — he explains — based on an assessment carried out in 1998 by geologist Antonio Marra, I submitted a question urging the administration to urgently intervene to secure areas at risk of landslides on the mountain slope. Dr. Marra’s document was clear, and I believed it was important, for the safety of citizens and tourists walking along the trails, to highlight this serious issue.

Since the mayor responded to my question, exactly one year has passed, and despite his reassurances, nothing has moved. Now I am raising the issue again and I will keep doing so, if necessary.”

At-risk areas and planned interventions

Among the areas identified where it would be advisable to implement “passive defenses” as soon as possible are the area uphill of Santa Barbara, the Enel square area, the wall section, and the area north of the Bastion. “On April 19th of last year” — continues Trinchieri — “three months after receiving the question signed by me and Councilor Marco Manzoni, Mayor Malossini responded that the Province would conduct a “more detailed geomechanical study that will also cover the areas above the S.M. Maddalena quadrant. The study will involve monitoring with extensometers and deformation gauges to assess the geomechanical state of the rock faces susceptible to collapse. This monitoring, which is expected to begin in the coming months, is necessary, both for the protection of the inhabited area and for the safeguard of a section of Riva’s future ring road.”

Beautiful words — remarks Trinchieri — but, to date, no action has followed. As usual, I have the impression that the responses, always delayed, are just token gestures to keep us quiet. I don’t want to cause alarm, but this time we are talking about the safety of the city.”