Severe spring storm in Alps kills three, disrupts France, Italy, Switzerland

A rare and powerful spring storm swept across the Alps, bringing record snowfall, deadly floods, and widespread disruption to northern Italy, France, and Switzerland. Parts of Italy, especially Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Piedmont, were hit by heavy rain and flooding, with the River Po threatening to overflow. The storm dumped over a metre of snow in several Alpine areas, forcing the closure of ski resorts, roads, and train lines, and leaving thousands stranded or without power. At least three people died in Italy, including two volunteers swept away while en route to a rescue operation and a 92-year-old man found in his flooded home. Authorities in Switzerland and France also urged residents to stay indoors due to avalanche risks, while major tunnels and highways were closed to heavy trucks. The volume and speed of snowfall were highly unusual for April, raising concerns about potential flooding as the snow melts.