The clean-up process in the wake of the destructive floodwaters which hit Eastern Norway this week, has barely begun, but it is already clear that it will be a long and very expensive task.
In the hamlet of Kvam in the Gudbrandsdal valley, which was hardest hit, nearly all homes were affected, and many completely wrecked by floodwater and mudslides. Many houses were just rebuilt or completely refurbished following the last flooding, just two years ago. Many have stated that they will not rebuild on the same plot again, but new plots are not easy to find.
But all rejoice over the fact that no one was killed or injured in the disaster.
The damaged infrastructure in the region is slowly being repaired, starting with the mobile phone network and other communications. The breakdown on communictions in Oppland county complicated the work of the police and other service institutions.
Emergency repairs have been made on most of the main roads in Oppland, and the road traffic is back to normal in most places, with a few diversions.
Sections of the railroad between Oslo and Trondheim will be reopened during the weekend, but between Lillehammer and Ringebu the repairs are extensive, and are expected to take several days.
Even though the heavy rainfall has subsided, the water level in the larger lakes in the region is still rising, and people are trying to prevent damage by moving belongings out of basements, and by securing boats and docks.
(NRK)
