Residents are being asked not to attempt crossing the Belham Valley due to damage caused in the area.
According to a statement from the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA)’s Director Billy Darroux “overnight rains from a tropical wave with an associated broad area of low pressure generated a large lahar in the valley.”
Darroux added “as result there was significant erosion to the paths used to access Isle Bay Hill and Cork Hill from the Old Golf Course and the road from Happy Hill and Dr Woods to travel to Cork Hill.”
He also confirmed that sharp drop-offs of the eroded area in the valley posed a serious danger to persons walking or standing close to the edge of the valley.
The DMCA is also discouraging sightseeing in the Belham Valley and not to drive down the Happy Hill road which is severely damaged.
According to the official, there is still potential for rain which can further impact the Belham Valley resulting in lahars with little or no warning, making the area more dangerous.
John A Osborne Airport confirmed that 49.1 milimetres of rain fell from 2 pm August 23rd, 2016 to 8 am August 24, 2016.
A lahar is a type of mudflow or debris flow composed of a slurry of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley.
