Roads collapse or break in heavy rains across multiple municipalities

Heavy weekend rains caused 16 separate road failures across Finland, with most incidents reported in Pirkanmaa and Central Finland, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto) said on Monday.

Väylävirasto reported that 16 gravel roads collapsed or were washed out during the downpours, a scale of damage not previously recorded in a single event. The agency’s road maintenance expert Jarkko Pirinen said such intense rainfall is becoming the new normal, with heavy summer storms now occurring annually rather than once every 10 to 30 years.

“The force of this rainfall is the challenge,” Pirinen said. “A single day’s rainfall of 100 millimetres is comparable to over a metre of snow in winter.”

Most of Finland’s gravel roads are old and have degraded over time, making them vulnerable to collapse. Väylävirasto said it is impossible to prevent all failures because the network is extensive and the changing climate makes such events difficult to predict. Minor roadside collapses occur almost every summer, according to the agency.

Old drainage systems also contributed to the damage. Many culverts are outdated and cannot handle the increased water flow, reducing their capacity by up to 20 per cent compared to modern standards. Väylävirasto noted that while some culverts are being upgraded, the scale of the network means not all can be replaced at once.

Repairs began immediately after reports of road failures were received, with Väylävirasto coordinating with regional authorities to restore access. In Central Finland, several roads remained closed on Monday morning due to ongoing repair work, particularly in Multia and Keuruu.

In Ylöjärvi, a section of the paved Vanha Kuruntie (Road 2774) collapsed near Ylinen, forcing temporary closures and prompting further investigation by local authorities.