Yukon is declaring a state of emergency
In the Southern Lakes area, the water level has risen above the permissible level.
The northern Canadian province of Yukon has declared a state of emergency in the South Lakes region, where water levels have exceeded the previous high recorded in 2007.
The Government warns that emergency evacuation may be ordered under the prevailing circumstances should the need arise. The state of emergency is valid for up to three months and may be lifted at any time.
The government says the highest water levels to date remain in Lakes Marsh, Laberge, Bennett and Tagish. It is also reported that 60 government officials and flood specialists from Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as about 100 Canadian Armed Forces personnel, are part of a team that is working to address any flooding incidents.
Public Services Minister Richard Mostyn says he understands the stress that residents already affected by the flooding have had to endure: "We want to reassure these people that we will do everything we can to continue to give them all the support we can in the coming weeks."
Back in June, water levels on the Yukon River near Carmacks Village rose to their highest point due to rapid melting of winter snow cover, resulting in flooding. This is the first time in 100 years that such a difficult situation has been recorded in the Yukon.
