More equipment to be installed today to help monitor volcano

La Soufriere volcano continues to be closely monitored by the team from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC).

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) said yesterday that the team, led by Vincentian Geologist Professor Dr Richard Robertson spent the day preparing, assembling and testing equipment to be installed at the Wallilabou Station.

The equipment is expected to be installed today Tuesday, January 5 in an effort to improve the Monitoring Network System.

It was also noted that yesterday, no aerial reconnaissance of La Soufriere was done due to the heavy cloud cover, while NEMO’s director Michelle Forbes briefed members of the Parliamentary Opposition on the current situation at La Soufriere.

Today, NEMO is expected to meet with residents of Fancy, Owia and Point. The first meeting will be held at the Fancy Government School at 1 pm. Residents of Owia and Point will meet at the Owia Government School from 4 p.m.

Residents will be updated on the present situation at the La Soufriere Volcano while a review of the Community Volcano Emergency Plan will be conducted.

NEMO is also expected to meet with residents of Calliaqua and surrounding areas to provide an update on the present situation and to put plans in place to receive persons in the event that evacuation becomes necessary.

On Thursday, January 7 at 3 p.m., there will be a meeting with residents of Sandy Bay and surrounding communities. The meeting will be held at the Sandy Bay Government School to update residents on the present situation and to review the Community Volcano Emergency Plan.

On Saturday, January 9, NEMO will meet with residents of Georgetown and surrounding areas at the Georgetown Secondary School at 3 p.m. to update residents and to review the Community Volcano Emergency Plan.

NEMO is reminding the public that no evacuation order or notice has been issued and continues to appeal to the public to desist from visiting the La Soufriere Volcano until the scientists advise that it is safe to do so.

The volcano alert level remains at orange. The volcano continues to exude magma on the surface and steam can still be observed from the Belmont Observatory. Persons living in areas close to the volcano should expect strong sulphur smells for several days to weeks, depending on changes in wind direction.