Montserrat Today
For Friday/Saturday April 03/04, 1998
Presented by the Information Unit of the
Government of Montserrat's Emergency Department
A newsletter produced 3 times weekly for E mail subscribers and published by the Emergency Department, Governor's Office.
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
Over the last few days the number of rockfalls from the dome of the Soufriere Hills Volcano have increased. One of these falls was down Tuitt's Ghaut - the first in some time.
There has been little in the way of earthquake activity with just a few hybrid and volcano tectonic signals recorded.
After a period of heavy rain Wednesday night/Thursday morning there was a large mudflow down the Belham Valley which has impacted the golf course area and has come to about 3 feet below the Belham bridge.
Dust levels are low at all monitoring stations at the present time.
SIRENS TEST THIS AFTERNOON:
The siren situated at Salem Police Station will be tested this afternoon (Friday) at 3 pm. All sirens are currently going through a maintenance programme and are being re-sited in northern areas.
This afternoon's test is to see over what area of Zones 3 and 4 on the risk map the sirens can be heard.
FARMERS MEETING:
Farmers met on Wednesday to discuss the removal of roving cattle from the Long Ground area whilst volcanic activity is at a low level. However because of the complexity of the operation, no decision was reached and they will meet again after Easter to review the situation.
NEW SHELTERS AT GERALDS FINISHED:
The new special needs shelters at Gerald's constructed by the Royal Montserrat Defence force will be completed this weekend.
However, roads and services including water and electricity still have to be installed to the site.
HEAVY RAINS CAUSE DAMAGE:
The heavy rains of Wednesday night / Thursday morning caused some damage in the north of the island. PWD crews were out early yesterday cleaning roads of debris which overflowed from drains. The area around the new factory shell, hotmix plant and power station was difficult to access because of a large amount of water present. Officials are already planning new drainage schemes for the area to improve matters.
RED CROSS IN ANTIGUA CONTINUES VOUCHER DISTRIBUTION:
The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross will continue their food voucher distribution to registered relocated Montserratians in Antigua next week. Around 1400 persons are registered for the scheme and this will be distribution # 8 of 10. The programme which ends on May 5th was made possible by a grant from ECHO.
In addition the CIDA school supply vouchers also being distributed by the Red Cross in Antigua will have to be redeemed by the same dates.
More information next week...................................
Published by the Education & Information Unit, Emergency Dept St John's Village, Montserrat, Leeward Islands, West Indies. Tel: 664 491 7166 Fax: 664 491 2474 E mail: monmedia@candw.ag Richard Aspin, Unit Co-ordinator.