Title: “Landslide Disaster Threatens Communities Along Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers”
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, officials are on high alert as a massive landslide on the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon has sparked fears of impending floods along the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers. Nathan Cullen, B.C.’s minister of water, land, and resource stewardship, has issued a stark warning, stating that river levels downstream are set to surge at an unprecedented rate.
“We are not letting our guard down even for a second,” emphasized Cullen in response to the dangerous situation unfolding post-landslide. The potential flooding presents a grave risk of carrying debris downstream, posing a significant threat to infrastructure along the riverbanks.
Although forecasters anticipate river flows to surpass peak spring levels on the Chilcotin River, the Fraser River is expected to remain below spring levels. B.C. Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Minister Bowinn Ma expressed cautious optimism amidst the crisis, labeling the situation as “very dynamic” and underscoring the inherent instability and danger prevalent in the affected regions.
Evacuation orders persist across a vast stretch of land, encompassing 100 square kilometers along the Chilcotin River, impacting thirteen residents and approximately 2,500 cattle. The evacuation zone spans from near Hanceville, B.C., up to the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers.
Furthermore, unauthorized drone activity and re-entry into evacuated zones have been flagged as illegal and perilous, raising concerns for both public safety and the integrity of ongoing assessment efforts.
As the clock ticks, the impending catastrophic failure of the dam created by the landslide looms large. Connie Chapman, executive director of water management, foresees an imminent breach with water anticipated to cascade over the landslide and erode the dam. The River Forecast Centre has outlined a “worst-case scenario” projection, indicating a potential surge that could reach the Farwell Canyon Bridge within 90 minutes post-dam failure, significantly raising river levels and posing a severe threat to downstream communities.
Amidst the chaos, a heartwarming moment unfolded as Seiko, a dog separated from its owner during the landslide, was reunited with his human companion, instilling a sense of relief and hope amidst the crisis.
This ongoing development has left communities on edge and officials on high alert as they grapple with the impending threat of catastrophic flooding and its potentially devastating consequences.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, officials are on high alert as a massive landslide on the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon has sparked fears of impending floods along the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers. Nathan Cullen, B.C.’s minister of water, land, and resource stewardship, has issued a stark warning, stating that river levels downstream are set to surge at an unprecedented rate.
“We are not letting our guard down even for a second,” emphasized Cullen in response to the dangerous situation unfolding post-landslide. The potential flooding presents a grave risk of carrying debris downstream, posing a significant threat to infrastructure along the riverbanks.
Although forecasters anticipate river flows to surpass peak spring levels on the Chilcotin River, the Fraser River is expected to remain below spring levels. B.C. Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Minister Bowinn Ma expressed cautious optimism amidst the crisis, labeling the situation as “very dynamic” and underscoring the inherent instability and danger prevalent in the affected regions.
Evacuation orders persist across a vast stretch of land, encompassing 100 square kilometers along the Chilcotin River, impacting thirteen residents and approximately 2,500 cattle. The evacuation zone spans from near Hanceville, B.C., up to the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers.
Furthermore, unauthorized drone activity and re-entry into evacuated zones have been flagged as illegal and perilous, raising concerns for both public safety and the integrity of ongoing assessment efforts.
As the clock ticks, the impending catastrophic failure of the dam created by the landslide looms large. Connie Chapman, executive director of water management, foresees an imminent breach with water anticipated to cascade over the landslide and erode the dam. The River Forecast Centre has outlined a “worst-case scenario” projection, indicating a potential surge that could reach the Farwell Canyon Bridge within 90 minutes post-dam failure, significantly raising river levels and posing a severe threat to downstream communities.
Amidst the chaos, a heartwarming moment unfolded as Seiko, a dog separated from its owner during the landslide, was reunited with his human companion, instilling a sense of relief and hope amidst the crisis.
This ongoing development has left communities on edge and officials on high alert as they grapple with the impending threat of catastrophic flooding and its potentially devastating consequences.
