Norwegian authorities issued orange-level landslide warnings for several municipalities in Innlandet county. The alert covers Sør-Aurdal, Etnedal, Nordre Land and Søndre Land communities from Friday through Saturday.
Nearby municipalities received yellow-level warnings for increased landslide and flood risk. Some areas could see up to 70 millimeters of rain within 24 hours.
Police warn the ground is already heavily saturated with water. They expect multiple landslide incidents across the region.
Operations manager Frode Øvreås from Innlandet Police District advised residents to stay away from steep slopes and waterways with high water flow. He made the statement in an official police bulletin.
Authorities urge people to monitor updates on Varsom.no, Norway's official hazard warning website. The site provides real-time advice about weather and landslide developments.
Varsom.no is operated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Meteorological Institute. The agencies warn several landslide events are expected, some with potentially serious consequences.
Flood landslides can travel long distances and reach valley floors even when starting high in the terrain, according to the warning. Affected buildings and infrastructure might experience disruptions to road and rail transportation.
The website recommends residents keep drainage ditches, basins and other water channels clear of debris. Blocked waterways with dammed water can trigger landslides.
The serious warning prompted the County Governor of Innlandet to convene an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon. Representatives from the county municipality, police, health services and affected municipalities attended.
This situation highlights Norway's ongoing challenge with extreme weather events in mountainous regions, where heavy rainfall can quickly turn dangerous in saturated terrain.