In a grim turn of events, the tranquil town of Juneau has been rocked by destructive flooding caused by a glacier-dammed lake. As per officials, at least two buildings have been completely destroyed, while residents in other areas have been forced to evacuate. The calamity unfolded on Saturday when the Mendenhall River surged due to a substantial release from the menacing Suicide Basin situated above the capital city. Shocking visuals captured the moment towering trees toppled into the raging river, eroding the banks and eventually leading to the collapse of a home on the brink. Although river levels have started to recede, the city warned that the banks remain precarious and several roads are blocked due to silt and debris left in the wake of the flooding.
Glacial outburst floods, referred to as glacial outburst floods, have proven to be a grave concern worldwide. These events are triggered by the rapid melting of glaciers, releasing immense quantities of water into nearby lakes and rivers. Earlier this year, a study highlighted that a staggering 15 million people globally are at risk from such occurrences. Countries such as India, Pakistan, Peru, and China face the greatest threat, accounting for over half of the vulnerable population. The calamity’s origins lie in Suicide Basin, an ominous side basin of the Mendenhall Glacier overlooking Juneau, which has been responsible for recurrent glacier lake outburst floods since 2011. The recent flooding incident saw the Mendenhall Lake gauge reach an unprecedented level, far surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
The aftermath of this disaster has left the region in turmoil. The waters have receded slightly, but the destruction is evident – areas previously untouched by flooding are now inundated. Multiple structures have been lost to the ravaging river, and the banks are suffering significant erosion. The National Weather Service has emphasized the severity of the situation, underlining the extensive tree falls and debris that now litter the river. The community is left grappling with the consequences of this natural catastrophe, as recovery efforts begin amidst the remnants of destruction.
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