Official
Volcano
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (update)
On 13 April 2021, marking the 42nd anniversary of La Soufrière Volcano last eruption, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reported a new mayor explosion from the La Soufrière Volcano at 6:30 AM. Additionally, pattern of seismic activity at La Soufrière changed again, with the end of the episodes of high-amplitude tremor 2-8 hours apart, and continue to coincide with periods of enhanced venting or explosive activity. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) reported pyroclastic density currents on the south and south western flanks of the volcano. The Seismic Research Center has lost connection with 4 of its 8 seismic stations and new seismic stations will be installed when it is safe to do so while the remaining 4 stations will monitor the activity and will be augmented by satellite imagery. The first phase of the evacuation began with communities in the Red Zone, and in the Orange Zone closest to the volcano on the island’s Leeward side including Georgetown northwards to Fancy, Chateaubelair, Fitz Hughes and Richmond. According to the daily live update from Prime Minister Gonsalves, as of 13 April, no deaths related to the Volcano eruption have been reported. The water supply has been partially restored (55%-60%) in the island and an additional 17 thousand liters of drinking water have arrived from Venezuela and more water is expected to arrive from Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago, however, some shelters remain without water and according to the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), an approximate 12,000 liters of water per day are estimated to be needed in hazard zone 1. All customs duties on water and relief supplies have been temporarily removed by the Prime Minister until further notice. As of 13 April, a total of 80 mattresses/cots were received from Venezuela, however an additional 1,400 are still needed. Additionally, 50 members from the security forces from Trinidad and Tobago will arrive and report to work under the authority of NEMO as security officers. Furthermore, the PDC to has estimated 23,971 persons and 6,146 households that are within a 6-mile radius of the volcano are more likely to be adversely impacted; however, a total of 290,841 persons from 92,848 households are estimated to be affected overall. In Dominica arrangements are being made to accommodate 300 evacuees from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines following COVID-19 protocols and coordinating with National Psychosocial Support team on standby to commence working with the evacuees after the quarantine period. Grenada is willing to shelter 1,600 evacuees while Saint Lucia has already received 136 evacuees and its prepared to accommodate another 300. The reports are available at: CEDEMA Situation Report No.11, La Soufrière Bulletin #59, Live Update from Prime Minister Gonsalves, PDC Hazard Brief on La Soufrière Volcano, and Dominica - Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on La Soufrière Volcano.
