A major flash flood at the Grand Canyon has forced the evacuation of more than 60 people and damaged the park’s only water pipeline, prompting officials to halt overnight stays at lodges and hotels from Monday.The National Park Service said the flooding swept large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River. It also knocked out the sole pipeline supplying water to tourists and year-round residents at the national park.Also Read:Slim odds, strong faith: Kin of Gujarat NRIs await word on missing loved ones in Nepal floodsThe park has asked year-round residents to conserve water as officials assess the damage and work to restore the water supply."These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources," the park said in a statement.15 people missingThe flash flood struck Bright Angel Creek on Saturday afternoon. The creek flows into the Colorado River.The park service said it was seeking information about 15 people who may be missing or unaccounted for. It asked anyone with information about people who were hiking or camping in the area to contact officials.The flooding destroyed footbridges over the creek and changed the landscape, widening the creek bed and creating what appeared to be a new rapid river.Also Read:"God saved us all": 36-member Malayali group caught in Nepal flash floods returns to KeralamThe park service worked with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Sunday to continue evacuations."This is a reminder of what a dynamic and active landscape Grand Canyon is," said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.Tourist areas remain closedThe Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and parts of the North Kaibab Trail remained closed on Sunday as officials surveyed the damage.Rafting trips on the Colorado River have also been suspended for now.More than 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch, which includes a historic canteen and dormitories and is a common stop for rafters travelling on the river.No injuries have been reported.Erica Viola, who was at Bright Angel Campground when the rain began, said about 50 other hikers watched the creek rise before debris started moving through the area, including what appeared to be a bunkhouse. The group was evacuated by helicopter, ending her trip two days early.Parth Desai was hiking through a narrow section of Bright Angel Canyon with fellow physicians and a park ranger when the heavy rain began."We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere," he said.As the group moved towards Phantom Ranch, a colleague warned them after spotting a wall of debris heading towards them."Up, Up, Up, Up!" the colleague shouted as a 4-foot (1-meter) debris wall approached. The group ran into a patch of cacti before eventually being rescued by helicopter that evening.Heavy rain triggered sudden floodingJustin Johndrow, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Flagstaff, said around half an inch to 1 inch (1 centimeter to 2.5 centimeters) of rain fell in about 30 minutes."Most of it ran off instantly," Johndrow said.The flooding occurred on the north side of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River. The creek drops around 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) along its course.More rain and thunderstorms were possible in the area through Monday.The suspension of overnight stays because of water supply problems is rare at the park. However, the pipeline has suffered repeated failures over the years and has long exceeded its expected lifespan.The damage comes as the Grand Canyon works to upgrade its water infrastructure.A $208 million project to rehabilitate the pipeline and upgrade the related water delivery system began in 2023. The park service has described the project as a key investment to meet the water needs of residents and visitors.The work is expected to be completed in 2027.