Evacuation Ordered as Chilcotin River Landslide Causes Overflow in Western Canada

In western Canada, water has started overflowing a natural dam created by a landslide blocking the Chilcotin River, prompting evacuation orders for residents along the banks of the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers in British Columbia. Bowinn Ma, B.C.'s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, cautioned that additional landslides are possible as the water flow intensifies, carrying debris with it.

"The likelihood of a worst-case scenario is decreasing, but make no mistake, the risks are still there," Ma said during a media briefing. "Now is not the time to go boating. Now is not the time to go take a look at the water."

The overflow began trickling over the natural dam at a rate of 7.5 cubic meters per second on Monday morning, escalating to 750 cubic meters per second by 1:30 PM Pacific Time as the water started gushing. This increased the channel size and carried large wooden debris and sediments. Officials are closely monitoring the situation and warned that the pulse of water could increase as a substantial volume of water stored behind the dam is released.

Evacuation alerts have been issued for the Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola regional districts, with officials urging locals and tourists to stay away from the river and its banks. The region has been on high alert since Wednesday, when the landslide initially blocked the river, raising concerns about flooding and triggering emergency alerts to ensure community readiness for evacuation.

Officials emphasized that even if water levels in some areas resemble those seen during spring flooding, the water will behave differently due to its greater momentum and force compared to a gradual increase in levels.

Nathan Cullen, B.C.'s Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, acknowledged the threat to wild salmon, fish species, and cultural sites along the rivers. He assured that the government is collaborating with partners to prepare for site visits once it is safe.

The evacuation and emergency measures underscore the ongoing risk and the importance of community preparedness in facing natural disasters.