As continuing explosions and ash fall following the eruption of St Vincent’s La Soufrière volcano ratcheted up emergency responses, the Guyana government on Saturday signalled that it was working towards dispatching relief supplies within 48 hours.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre reported last night that the volcano has entered an explosive eruptive phase that may continue over the next few days and weeks. It had earlier reported that explosions continued throughout the day up to 7pm last evening, accompanied by ash venting, some of which has been dispersed to neighbouring islands, particularly Barbados.
The Centre’s Director, Erouscilla Joseph, also warned that more seismic unrest was expected overnight, with accompanying ash venting episodes, which was in line with predictions that the eruption is likely to be “much bigger” than the previous one in 1979.
“The situation has changed drastically overnight, and indeed what was urgent is now extremely urgent,” President Irfaan Ali was quoted as saying by the Office of the President last evening.
Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday afternoon convened a meeting with members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which have been mobilising aid for the island.
According to an OP statement, Ali said that given the urgency in the sister CARICOM nation, supplies from Guyana must set sail within 48 hours.
Along with the emergency response, Ali noted that the army is on standby in case they are needed on the ground in the aftermath of the eruption.
Phillips, the OP statement noted, is expected to meet the CDC today to evaluate the progress.
Up to yesterday afternoon the PSC had been able to raise several millions in commitments and items needed, while President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Rafeek Khan indicated that the association has also secured financial commitments.
Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig told Sunday Stabroek that since a list of needed items was published on Friday, they have received a number of donations and pledges.
He said there were commitments from several agencies and a meeting is set for today to discuss items and quantities.
In a separate statement, CDC noted that among the commitments made were to supply drinking water, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitation supplies, water tanks and shelter supplies. “Banks DIH has donated water (5-gallon bottles to fill a 20-foot container), John Fernandes Limited has donated a 20ft container and a 40ft container (to ship items to St. Vincent), and Gaico Construction and General Services has pledged two charter flights to the CARICOM island,” the statement said.
Other companies, including Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), have also committed to donating items, while others, such as Fibre Tech Industrial Plastics, have already made donations.
The items are likely to be transported via sea since the flying has been prohibited.
On Friday, CDC and PSC in a joint statement issued an appeal for water tanks, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, a field kitchen, blankets, reflective vest, respirators with filters, caution tape, portable toilets and buckets.
Explosive activity
The eruption of La Soufrière volcano has displaced thousands, including a large number of Guyanese.
Dormant since 1979, the volcano started showing signs of activity in December last year, spewing steam and smoke and rumbling away.
The first explosion was recorded at approximately 8.40 am on Friday followed by a second around 2:45 pm. A third eruption of the volcano occurred at about 6.35 Friday night.
Since, then there have been a series of explosions and they are expected to last over the next few days or weeks.
The UWI Seismic Research Centre said in an update that following the gradual decline of near continuous seismic tremor at La Soufrière, the seismic network started to record banded tremor episodes from about 3.30 am on Saturday. It explained that banded tremor is a seismic signal that magma and gas are approaching the surface. “Each tremor episode lasted 20 to 30 minutes, with gaps between them of 1 to 3 hours. The episodes appeared to coincide with period of enhanced venting or explosive activity,” it added.
Between Friday and last evening, communities were covered with ash, which forced residents to be confined strictly to their homes.
The ash fall affected every zone, but was heavier in the red zone closer to the volcano. In addition, the UWI Seismic Research Centre said last night that ash fall was also reported in parts of Barbados and Saint Lucia.
The St. Vincent and Grenadines Ministry of Health in a Facebook post warned that exposure to volcanic ash could lead to irritation of the eyes and respiratory system.
Meanwhile, the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) advised against using stored water supply or pipe borne supply for any purpose other than drinking or cooking at this time. “The use of hoses is strictly prohibited at this time,” it said.
Water extraction from rivers was also prohibited since at this point it is unclear where the water is contaminated.
Gonsalves on Thursday issued an immediate evacuation order to residents in the path of volcanic activity.
The evacuation of residents from the red and orange zones to the safe zones continued yesterday.
A number of residents including those from the Northern community of Owia, who had previously refused evacuation, were on Saturday rescued by members of the coast guard.
According to online daily newspaper News784, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has reported that 76 shelters have since been set up and is housing more than 2,000 occupants.
In a separate report, News 784 said that several houses in the Northern community of Sandy Bay, which is situated in the red zone, were also destroyed yesterday.
Region responds
Apart from Guyana, other countries in the region have also joined in providing relief assistance.
The Barbados Government Information Service announced that the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) had delivered relief items to St Vincent and the Grenadines. The vessel which was deployed also sailed to St Lucia to collect and transport additional relief supplies to St Vincent and the Grenadines, it added.
According to a News784 report, Venezuela also sent humanitarian aid and risk experts to St. Vincent yesterday morning.
During a press conference on Friday, Gonsalves shed tears and he expressed gratitude to Caribbean Community countries for the help offered.
“Amazing… on this dangerous road to Jericho, we have the good Samaritans…to put people in their homes…strangers…brings tears to my eyes. I love this Caribbean,” he had said.
Gonsalves had added that Dominica, Grenada and Antigua had agreed to take evacuees in and cruise lines could ferry them over – as long as they got vaccinated for COVID-19 first.
With evacuees estimated at over 20,000 in a population of around 100,000, the St Vincent Searchlight newspaper had previously reported that neighbouring islands, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Antigua have offered to house persons.
Ali yesterday said he has been in constant contact with St Vincent Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and has offered Guyana’s full support. The two leaders were expected to speak again last night. Ali and Gonsalves were expected to speak again last night.
