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Officials have been busy with preparations to deal with any major ash fall here from St Vincent’s erupting La Soufrière volcano while urging citizens to beware but not to panic.
Following an explosive eruption of the volcano this morning in Kingstown at 8:41, a weak plume of ash passed over Barbados around 11:30 a.m., approximately 18,000 to 25,000 feet, before pushing off to the east of the island.
In an early afternoon media briefing, officials outlined several steps that residents and farmers should take in preparation, during and after the likely event of ashfall from the eruption travelling east to Barbados.
With a chance of major future eruption still a possibility and St Vincent on red alert, Director of the Barbados Meteorological Services Sabu Best said “it is the major eruption at this point that is of greater concern in terms of ash fall for Barbados”.
That potential ash fall has prompted Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George to urge Barbadians, especially those with respiratory issues, to be on the alert.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George.
He said with respect to ash cloud, plume or ash fall there are potential respiratory and allergic reactions. He said it was therefore for individuals to take the necessary protective and preventative measures and only visit polyclinics and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital if absolutely necessary.
“They need to remain indoors if possible and those who cannot remain indoors need to use protective gear or clothing when they are on the outside of buildings,” he said.
Mark Trotman, Senior Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, is advising livestock and agriculture farmers to take special care to protect their assets.
Mark Trotman, Senior Veterinary Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture,
He warned that volcanic ash was potentially toxic to pets and livestock, Trotman said “you would want to make sure then that your animals are covered”.
“Livestock should be brought in under shelter and pets indoors to prevent exposure to the ash should it occur,” he explained.
Warning farmers and pet owners to also be aware of ash falling on feed, forage and water supplies, he said careful storage or covering of these items should also be done to prevent issues associated with the ingestion of affected water or food supplies.
The same should be done to produce, adding that “farmers need to pay extra attention when they are harvesting crops to make sure they are properly washed before they are offered for sale or consumed”, he said.
Best gave the assurance that the met office was in constant contact with aviation authorities and any changes in airspace control would be made known and the necessary steps taken to protect equipment and aircraft on the ground.
Director of the Barbados Meteorological Services Sabu Best.
The officials promised regular updates as they continue to keep an eye on the developments in the CARICOM neighbour, located 159 kilometres (99 miles) to the west.
They urged Barbadians not to panic, but to continue to source their information from reputable news channels and outlets.
“The people of Barbados have our undertaking that the information will be supplied as much as we receive. There are no secrets to be had here. We will pass it on to you,” said Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams.
Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams.
Barbadians’ last experience with Vincentian volcanic ash was 42 years ago with La Soufriere’s April 1979 explosion that sent black, sulphurous ash raining down for several days.
The volcano began to erupt on 13 April 1979 after 10 months of unrest. A towering ash cloud from the island’s highest summit of 1,234 m (4,049 ft), darkened the afternoon sky here followed by days of fine black dust showering the island. The eruption continued for another two weeks before finally settling two months later. There were no casualties.
Before that, generations of Barbadians were treated to tales of “May dust” that rained over the island in 1902, the deadliest eruption that killed 1,680 Vincentians and decimated the island’s Carib community in northern St Vincent.
In an ironic twist, the volcanic ash has twice proved a boon to the fertility of nutrient-starved soils in Barbados.
(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)
