Flood event potential prompts warnings for residents near Skaftá River in Iceland

A potential flood event, known as Skaftárhlaup, may be starting in Iceland, as indicated by increased electrical conductivity in the Skaftá River. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has urged residents and travelers in flood-prone areas to be aware of the changing conditions.

The electrical conductivity in Skaftá has been gradually rising since the previous evening, with water levels and flow rates near Sveinstind increasing over the past few hours. The Meteorological Office suggests that these changes are likely not due to glacial melt or rainfall, but rather the onset of a flood.

Data indicates that the flood origin may be in the Vestari-Skaftárkatli, where the last event occurred in September 2021. Historically, floods from the western caldera tend to be smaller than those from the eastern caldera. A previous flood from the Eystri-Skaftárkatli occurred on August 30 last year.

At 8:30 PM, the flow rate near Sveinstind was approximately 149 m³/s, with expectations that peak flow in this flood may not exceed 750 m³/s. However, there is a possibility that water may flow from the Eystri-Skaftárkatli afterward.

Travelers are advised to avoid areas near the Skaftá River above Skaftárdalur and the edges of the Skaftárjökull, Tungnárjökull, and Síðujökull glaciers while the flood is underway. Hydrogen sulfide may be present in the floodwaters, posing risks to the eyes and respiratory system. Swift developments, such as fractures around the calderas, may also occur, warranting caution in these regions.