VIDEO: See the Skaftá river flood
The Skaftá river flood emerged from under the glacier yesterday morning and reaching inhabited land during the day. The peak of the flood is expected to occur this evening or tonight.
The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police has declared a state of alert.
Increases in water flow during this flood are the greatest on record. Just before the flood began, water flow was around 120 m3/s. Twenty-four hour later, that figure had risen to almost 2,000 m3/s.
As can be seen in the video above, the water has become very grey. The river has already broken through one protective wall and cut off the road into Skaftárdalur valley.
The flood water is expected to bring with it hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide. The gases are expected to be carried on prevailing winds towards eastern parts of Iceland.
