BRADES, Montserrat – The National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC) on Thursday, raised the alert level to four after an increase in activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano.
According to a statement from Government House “a large pyroclastic flow at 06:40 am on the morning of the 10th December went beyond the trigger point at Lees yard and reached the west end of Lees Village, leading towards the top of Belham Valley.
“The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) is no longer in a position to give residents of ZONE B sufficient warning of activity during hours of darkness,” states the release.
Zone B covers Iles Bay, Belham, Waterworks, parts of Old Towne, and lower part of Happy Hill.
“Residents in Zone B will therefore, be restricted to daytime access only from Thursday 10 December. Zone B will be open from 06:30 to 17:30 daily. The Disaster Management Co-ordination Agency (DMCA) have opened shelters in Pasture Piece for those persons requiring overnight accommodation.
“Persons who are uncertain of whether or not they reside in Zone B should contact the DMCA at telephone 491-7166 for clarification/confirmation. Large scale maps delineating the zones are displayed at the Salem Police Station, Wilsons Bar in Salem, Rams Emdee Supermarket, Government Headquarters adjacent to the free internet kiosk, in the entrance foyer of the Governor’s Office and as the Seaport and John A. Osborne Airport.
“The MVO will continue to review levels of volcanic activity on a regular basis. Everyone is urged to tune into Radio Montserrat (ZJB) on 88.3 or 95.5 FM for further updates or they can visit the MVO website at www.mvo.ms,” says the statement.
