The Grand Canyon has closed all overnight accommodation on the South Rim following severe flash flooding that killed two people and caused extensive infrastructure damage, with more than 20 people potentially still missing, according to Reuters.
The National Park Service (NPS) said all overnight guest lodging in the South Rim area has been closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ from 31 August, as reported by The Independent.
The closures include El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village.
The park remains open for day visits, while dry camping is permitted at South Rim campgrounds. Fires are prohibited and water restrictions have been introduced after flooding damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, leaving the park with limited water reserves.
The flooding hit Bright Angel Canyon, Bright Angel Trail and the Phantom Ranch area at around 2.30pm on 29 August. More than 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
The Colorado River is also closed to river traffic until further notice because of metal structures and debris entering the river.
The NPS said it would provide updates as recovery and infrastructure assessments continue.
Photo is a stock image from Shutterstock.
