Residents of Gwaelod-y-Garth, on the north-western outskirts of Cardiff, were evacuated on Thursday afternoon after a sudden flood swept through the village following an incident at a nearby quarry.
What happened
Local people reported hearing a loud blast at about 12:30 BST and within minutes large volumes of brown, muddy water surged down the hillside, flooding gardens, roads and properties. Some homes saw water depths of up to 5ft (1.5m), according to reports from those at the scene.
"There was an explosion a couple of minutes before the water arrived through the village. The whole house shook — it felt like a mini earthquake."
The incident was subsequently linked to activity at a nearby quarry. The Breedon Group, which operates the site, confirmed there had been an "incident in its quarry" and said its teams were working with the relevant authorities and engaging with the local community as they responded.
Emergency response and local impact
Emergency services are attending the scene and residents have been advised to avoid the area while crews assess damage and risk. Photographs and footage circulated on social media and shared with broadcasters show gardens and a local football club ground submerged in muddy water, and roads closed by the flooding.
One resident described being caught by the flow in his garden, saying water reached waist height before the force pushed him back and he had to cling to his gate.
- Evacuations: Multiple households were moved from their homes; exact numbers have not been released.
- Infrastructure: Roads through the village are closed while assessment and recovery continue.
- Organisations at the scene: Emergency services, Breedon Group representatives, and other local agencies.
Official lines and clarifications
Water company Dŵr Cymru has said the incident is not linked to its pipe network, indicating the cause is associated with the quarry rather than mains infrastructure. Breedon Group has not provided further technical details about the nature of the incident or any injuries in its public statement.
At the time of reporting, authorities have not published a formal casualty count or a full assessment of property damage. Local people have been told to stay away from affected streets while emergency personnel work.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Time of event | About 12:30 BST |
| Location | Gwaelod-y-Garth, near Cardiff |
| Reported water depth | Up to 5ft (1.5m) in some homes |
| Operator involved | Breedon Group (confirmed an "incident in its quarry") |
| Water company | Dŵr Cymru — not linked to pipe network |
Residents affected by the flooding should follow guidance from emergency services and local authorities. Those seeking information about evacuations or the status of properties are advised to contact the emergency number or local council channels once they are re-established.
This is a developing story. InfoRadar will publish further updates as authorities and the quarry operator release more details.
