A 46-year-old man has lost his life, while around 15 other people remain missing or unaccounted for after flash floods swept through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The waters caused landslides, significant damage and helicopter evacuations.
The victim’s body was found on Sunday near Crystal Rapids, in the area along the Colorado River. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities continue operations to locate those who have not yet been found.
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The situation forced emergency teams to evacuate more than 60 hikers and campers by helicopter from Bright Angel Creek, where intense rainfall had caused powerful flooding and landslides.
Major damage was also caused to the only pipeline supplying drinking water to parts of the park. Due to dwindling water reserves, authorities will halt overnight stays at several lodging facilities inside the park, a measure that takes effect on Monday.
Permanent residents have also been urged to use less water. “These measures are vital to ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources,” the U.S. National Park Service said.
Parth Desai, one of the witnesses, described how the storm suddenly burst over the canyon. He said the heavy rain brought a large amount of water, mud, rocks and landslides. The group he was with saw a wave of water about one meter high approaching, carrying debris along with it. To avoid the danger, the hikers ran toward higher ground.
The raging flow destroyed footbridges and altered the course of Bright Angel Creek. Rocks and debris carried by the flood also affected several natural formations. As a safety measure, park services have closed Bright Angel Campground, North Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch.
According to meteorologists, between approximately 1 and 2.5 centimeters of rain fell in the area in just 20 minutes. The flooding intensified because two earlier episodes of severe weather had already saturated the ground. When the main storm arrived, the soil could no longer absorb all the water, causing flash flooding.
Authorities warn that the danger remains active, as more rain and storms are expected in the area. Emergency teams are continuing their search for the missing people.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States, attracting around 6 million people every year.
