Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
A powerful flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of over 60 individuals, with reports indicating that between 15 to 20 people may still be missing. The fateful event occurred in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas, causing extensive damage to footbridges and altering the landscape significantly, as torrents of water carried large boulders and debris into the Colorado River, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.
The National Park Service (NPS) is actively seeking information on hikers who may have been in the affected areas and is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to carry out further evacuations. According to eyewitnesses, the flooding transformed the creek bed and even created new rapids while several hikers watched as their surroundings were engulfed by debris and water flow, detailed reports from Los Angeles Times and Channel News Asia indicate.
As weather forecasts anticipate more rain and thunderstorms through the coming days, the NPS has issued warnings regarding additional flash flooding risks, potentially further complicating the search efforts. Despite the infrastructure damage, such as interruptions to the park's sole water pipeline, no serious injuries have been reported, as confirmed by India Times and Al Jazeera.
As rescue operations continue amidst the chaos, the NPS has urged the public to report any sightings or provide information on the missing individuals last known to be hiking or camping in the impacted areas. The vivid and perilous dynamics of the Grand Canyon were epitomized by the harrowing experiences of individuals caught in the flood, as highlighted by multiple firsthand accounts shared through various news outlets, including Los Angeles Times and India Times.