US: Deadly flash flood hits Grand Canyon

A flash flood in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park claimed at least one life and left 15 others missing, according to authorities. The National Park Service confirmed that a 46-year-old man's body was recovered near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River on Sunday evening. The catastrophic event occurred around 2:30 pm on Saturday, triggered by heavy rainfall on the Kaibab Plateau that caused the Colorado River to overflow.

Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area were particularly affected. Hiker Parth Desai described the terrifying scene, witnessing the creek flood, waterfalls emerging abruptly, and landslides engulfing everything in their path. The group managed to evade a 4-foot-high debris wall by seeking refuge among cacti. The National Weather Service reported that up to 1 inch of rain fell in just 20 minutes, with most of it cascading down the steep terrain.

The flash flood obliterated many footbridges and hurled boulders and debris into the Colorado River. In response, water restrictions were imposed due to the damage to the park's sole water pipeline. As thunderstorms and heavy rain continued into Monday, the park remained open for day use, but several areas, including Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab Trail, were closed.

Overnight accommodations at lodges and hotels inside the park were suspended from Monday, as were Colorado River rafting excursions.