The National Park Service said on Sunday it had recovered the body of a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the first confirmed death from flash flooding at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
The flooding struck Saturday in Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the Colorado River. About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for. More than 60 people were airlifted from the depths of the canyon during the emergency response.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted with additional evacuations Sunday. The park service asked anyone with details about hikers or campers still unaccounted for to come forward.
The flood destroyed the only water pipeline serving tourists and residents. Emergency water restrictions took effect Monday, barring tourists from overnight stays at lodges and hotels inside the park. Year-round residents were asked to conserve water.
“These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources,” the park said in a statement.
More rain and thunderstorms were possible Monday, and a flood watch was in effect. The National Weather Service warned early Monday that “with deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday.”
The Grand Canyon draws heavy visitor traffic each summer, when the monsoon season raises the risk of sudden flooding. Clear conditions can turn quickly into thunderstorms and heavy downpours, catching hikers deep inside the canyon with limited routes to higher ground.
Deadly summer flooding is not confined to the American Southwest. Monsoon rains across Asia this year produced comparable disasters, including recent flash floods along the Nepal-China border that killed dozens and left hundreds missing.
Search and rescue operations at the Grand Canyon were expected to continue through Monday, weather permitting. Officials had not set a timeline for restoring the destroyed pipeline or lifting the overnight lodging ban.