It was on Tuesday morning that two sludge lavas washed down over Ritsemvägen just north of Suorva and formed a four meter high and 40 meter wide embankment across the road.

Several stuck on the other side of the road

About 25 to 30 people are stuck on the Ritsemsidan of the road, mostly reindeer herders and contractors as well as a few truck drivers.

However, there is no need for them, they have food and accommodation and also nice spring-winter weather.

It is still dangerous to approach the road between Stora sjöfallet and Ritsem.

New avalanches may occur.

- There is still an incredible amount of snow and dams up on the mountain.

The avalanches have only gone from a third up the mountainside, says Anders Bergwall, avalanche expert from Abisko.

A four meter high and 40 meter wide dike lies across the road.

Photo: Anders Bergwall

"The place is dangerous as long as the heat lasts"

He says that this type of slavish are not very unusual in the mountains, but they usually occur a little later in the season and usually where there are no people.

It is when water collects in the high-lying snow layers that the risk increases.

- Normally streams form under the snow layers, but when the heat comes suddenly the snow absorbs the water like a sponge.

The place will be dangerous as long as the heat continues, he says.

No forecast for the clean-up work

Stefan Hannu, chairman of Ritsemvägen's community association, has no forecast for when the clean-up work can start.

- But we have seen that water flows decrease and that it becomes more favorable for each day.