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The hydrogeologist already warned in 2008 about “major erosion problems” in the Nystulia en Ask residential area in Gjerdrum.
In October 2008, hydrogeologist Steinar Myrabø raised the alarm that “a large area has been exposed to massive surface erosion and landslides” in an interview with Romerikes Blad.
– We proposed several measures for water management in the area, including the construction of a large diversion dam. The measures were removed during the planning process, as we unfortunately often witness in other municipalities as well, Myrabø told Romerikes Blad on Thursday.
Myrabø, who in 2008 worked as a chief engineer and hydrologist at the then Jernbaneverket, worked with runoff and surface water in relation to developments. In addition, he was the leader of the local team of the Nature Conservation Association.
Romerikes Blad October 30, 2008. Photo: facsimile
Earlier in the same year, in April 2008, he had made similar criticisms of “significant erosion damage” at Eidsvoll Ullensaker Blad. Myrabø later declared that “all construction must stop”.
– I warned the municipality that there could be erosion and that the whole area could erupt, he tells NRK on Thursday.
NVE estimates that the landslide area is around 300 times 700 meters. Photo: Bård Bøe
– High degree of known danger
According to Myrabø, the stream running through the area received such a large flow of water during the spring flood, with erosion and massive transport, that the stream closure in the agricultural area below was filled and washed away.
– The creek dug several meters at the edge of an area that had known a high degree of danger from rapid clay landslides, he says.
Mayor Anders Østensen (Labor Party) emphasizes that the municipality of Gjerdrum has always been concerned with following the professional recommendations of the NVE and NGI.
– We will flip all the stones and review the case, possibly to find out if something in Nystulia should have been done differently, says the mayor.
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This is what it looks like on the site Thursday morning. 9 houses and a total of 31 houses have been taken over by the avalanche. Photo: Bård Bøe
The police will investigate
The police are preparing an investigation into how the landslide in Ask could take place in the municipality of Gjerdrum. According to Romerikes Blad, the investigation will be led by police lawyer Bjørn Arne Tronier, who led the investigation following the 2016 Sørum landslide that claimed three lives.
– The objective is to clarify why such an accident could happen, says Tronier to the newspaper.
The investigative case is being carried out by the Eco and Environment team in the police district and continues in parallel with the massive rescue efforts.
In an investigative case, the goal is to discover the cause of an incident and clarify the causal relationship. Such an investigation is not specifically directed at anyone and therefore there is no question of the police charging individuals.
