Thursday, March 28, 2024

LIVE UPDATES: La Soufrière Emergency Conference

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Key points and live updates from the April 12, 2021 address to the nation by Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams and Professor Richard Robertson, Director of The UWI Seismic Research Centre.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams

  • As difficult as it is for us, it is worse for Vincentians.
  • Please pray for them.
  • This is a life-threatening and life-changing development for them.
  • The MET Office has been able to predict 90 minutes ahead of the ash plumes.
  • It is still difficult to plan even though we know 90 minutes ahead of dust plumes coming here.
  • Today we started our clean up as things progress we will get better at dealing with it.
  • It is new for us. We are getting expertise in dealing with this.
  • The airspace is closed and also the Port, so this makes it difficult to get the equipment.
  • We are priortising the cleanup of highways and secondary roads.
  • Clean up had to be abandoned because people were driving and speeding kicking up dust.
  • Stay off the road if you don’t need to be out.
  • The police has advised of slippery roads.
  • Look out for the vulnerable in society.
  • Also please pay attention to your gutters.
  • Cleanups must involve roof space.
  • The Barbados Water Authority is under pressure as a result of the cleanup.
  • Use muscle and not water. Avoid using water.
  • We will make announcements on businesses that should not open.
  • Non-essential workers who can work from home should work from home.
  • The dust will clog AC units in buildings.
  • Although you can’t see the dust, it has implications for your health.
  • When cleaning, cover your skin.
  • Wear double masks when cleaning.
  • The cleanup process is not a one-day thing.

Open tomorrow:

  • Shops
  • Supermarkets
  • Bakeries
  • Pharmacies
  • Polyclinics hopefully will open Wednesday after cleaning.
  • Reduced transportation services
  • Airport and Port will remain closed
  • Essential services will be open on Tuesdays.
  • On Wednesday, public sector departments that serve the public will open once conditions allow.
  • We need to be our brothers’ keepers.
  • Look out for the vulnerable
  • Keep yourself safe.

 

Professor Richard Robertson, Director of The UWI Seismic Research Centre

  • La Soufriere is now in the explosive stage and we may continue to see episodic explosions.
  • For last day were not as high, except this morning.
  • This period can vary for a few weeks to months to a year.
  • This week you may not have a lot of ash, but that may not continue.
  • As long as the volcano erupts, at some time you will have ash.
  • It can go on for days, weeks or up to a year.
  • That is what you have to prepare for.
  • You must have systems in place for when this ash comes as you do for hurricanes.
  • It is bigger than 1979, more like 1902 that went on for about a year.
  • The dome was destroyed by explosive eruption of the volcano.
  • The dome provided the confinement, so all of the gases escaped.
  • People need to heed the warnings and take precautions.
  • Some have not and are still in harm’s way.
  • We want people to realise we may have to deal with this problem for longer than we want to.
  • In Barbados, use the time and resources you have to minimise the impact of ash.

 

 

 

 

 

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