The flow in Skaftá River rapidly increases and now measures almost 800 cubic meters per second at Sveinstindur, RÚV reports.The flow is five times as heavy as what it was at midnight. It‘s expected to peak at over 2,000 cubic meters per second, most likely Saturday.
Electric conductance has increased with the flow. It now measures 240 microsiemens at Sveinstindur. Sulfur pollution increases as conductivity goes up, as does the smell of sulfur.
Víðir Reynisson, police representative in South Iceland, warns travelers not to go close to the river because of the pollution.
“It’s the hydrogen sulfide which is dangerous, and then the river will flood the roads in Skaftárdalur valley. The Icelandic Road Administraton is on the alert should this threaten Ring Road 1, but we don’t necessarily expect that to happen. Hydrographers from the Icelandic Met Office are up there, keeping a close eye on the situation, so we’re constantly receiving information about how this developes and act accordingly,” Víðir says.
