Route 1, the Ring Road, remains closed at Kirkjubæjarklaustur due to a glacial outburst flood in Skaftá river, RÚV reports. Authorities are now evaluating whether to breach the road and build a channel to drain the area.
Though the road is closed to smaller vehicles, larger cars and jeeps have been permitted to pass through. Smaller vehicles can bypass the closure via Road 204 through Meðalland.
“There is just a large catchment area that has been formed there, I just have no idea when it will recede, that’s just how it is,” said Ágúst Bjartmarsson of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. “This is over a kilometre long catchment area and lots of water behind it.”
Travellers are advised to check conditions at road.is before setting out.
Update August 9, 2018: The Ring Road has been opened to traffic at Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
