Updated 2:51 pm, Monday August 5th:
The BC Government is urging people to stay away from the Chilcotin River and the Fraser River as water breached the landslide this morning. (Monday)
“I cannot underline enough how extremely unstable and dangerous the Valley is right now,” said Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma.
“Now that the water has begun flowing past the natural dam, there is a risk of further landslides both upstream and downstream of the dam.”
Ma added the likelihood of a “worst case scenario” is decreasing, but the risk is still there.
Executive Director of Water Management Connie Chapman said they’re anticipating substantial flows, erosion downstream, as well as debris in the river.
“It is currently operating in the space that was anticipated, but there are a number of variables and factors that could really change that space and put us back towards more of a one-hour breach scenario,” Chapman said.
Chapman added staff have been removed from the immediate area of the landslide site, but they’re still monitoring the slide.
Updated 10:21 am, Monday, August 5th:
Water is starting to come through the landslide that blocked the Chilcotin River southwest of Williams Lake.
Some important developments on the Chilcotin slide.
We’re seeing the first images from moments ago of water getting through the slide.
We’ll be getting more detailed information in the coming hours. #bcpoli @BowinnMa pic.twitter.com/m5k8WTYmEz
— Nathan Cullen (@nathancullen) August 5, 2024
Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen says more detailed information will be available in the coming hours.
Original Story:
The Cariboo Regional District has issued another evacuation order involving the Chilcotin River Landslide.
Officials say the water that’s been held back by the massive landslide is expected to overtop the natural dam today (Monday) and enter the riverbed below.
Modelling currently shows the water will likely be flushed down river.
BC’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen says an update is expected later today.
Important update on Chilcotin River Slide:
While water levels have continued to rise overnight, the water trapped behind the natural dam has not yet reached the top.
However, experts expect water will reach the top & start flowing into the riverbed in the next several hours …— Nathan Cullen (@nathancullen) August 5, 2024
–With files from the Vista National Newswire
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