Montserrat Today
For Wednesday/Thursday June 03/04, 1998
Presented by the Information Unit of the
Government of Montserrat's Emergency Department
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
Activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano in Montserrat remains at a low level with just a few volcano-tectonic earthquakes recorded. However, recent heavy rains have caused mudflows down the Belham Valley which have impacted the valley severely. The temperature of these flows is estimated at around 40 degrees Centigrade.
During this week GPS surveys are taking place in conjunction with the University of Puerto Rico.
All dust levels are low at the moment at all sites in the central and northern zones.
NEW TEMPORARY PRISON OPENED:
HM's Prison which has relocated several times during the current volcanic crisis has a new temporary home. Purpose built shelter type buildings at Gerald's Park now house all prisoners left in Montserrat as well as those on remand.
The majority of long term prisoners have been transferred overseas and only those serving short term sentances are still on island.
ZJB HIT BY STORM:
Radio Montserrat (ZJB) suffered a ligtning strike during heavy rain last night which damaged some equipment in the consul.
The station remains on air with reduced power and is operating from the old consul sited in the recording room. Technicians are currently working on the problem.
MONTSERRAT NOT TAKING PART IN LEEWARDS TOURNAMENT:
For the first time since they started playing in LI Tournament, Montserrat will not field a team in this year's tournament. The local Cricket Association has cited the lack of a local league, no practice facilities, most players abroad and the lack of finances as the main reasons for not taking part. All these are the result of the volcanic crisis.
Montserrat's three LI umpires however, will officiate in the tournament. Mr Basil Morgan, Mr John Smith and Mr Reuel Francis have all umpired during Antigua'a domestic season and as a result are able to stand in tournament. Each will umpire one match, Mr Morgan in Tortola, Mr Smith in Nevis, and Mr Francis in Anguilla.
C.M.'s PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSES LPG PROBLEM:
During a press conference yesterday, the Chief Minister the Hon. David S. Brandt addressed the LPG cooking gas problem. He announced that he was setting up a committee to look at the problems of LPG distribution following angry scenes at Carr's Bay earlier this week when the commodity ran out during distribution to the public.
Mr Brandt deplored the scenes where young men pushed away pregnant mothers and the elderly to jump the queue. Currently gas bottles are sent to Nevis for filling but a shortage of bottles hampers the operation.
SIRENS BEING RE-INSTALLED:
The programme to re-install the siren network throughout the central and northern zones continues.
The programme which will take about a month to complete will see sirens taken out of the exclusion zone, cleaned & repaired and re-installed from Salem northwards.
The sirens will warn the public to tune into local radio to hear updates on an increase in volcanic activity or the advent of a hurricane.
More information later in the week...........................