Global Courant 2023-05-04 23:44:01
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) declared an orange alert for the eruption of Volcán de Fuego and with the support of other institutions began the evacuation of the Morelia and Panimaché 1 and 2 communities.
In addition, the closure of the RN-14 that goes from Sacatepéquez to Escuintla was coordinated, while some schools decided to suspend classes due to the situation experienced by the eruption of the Fuego Volcano.
Conred’s notice details that with information contained in the special volcanological bulletins of Insivumeh BEFGO # 21-2023 and # 22-2023, it reports on the descent of pyroclastic flows through the Ceniza ravines, Las Lajas (on the eastern flank) and the Seca and Santa Teresa ravines (on the western flank of the volcano), which present moderate to strong characteristics.
“These flows produce ash fall on the communities of San Pedro Yepocapa, Ojo de Agua and Palo Verde farm, as well as on the communities of El Rodeo, La Trinidad, Guadalupe and El Zapote (on the eastern flank of the volcano),” it reads. .
In addition, it is reported that the abundant fall of ash continues on the farms and communities of La Asunción, La Rochela, Panimaché I and II, Morelia, Santa Sofía and other surrounding communities.
Conred’s executive secretary. Oscar Estuardo Cossío, said at a press conference that there was an emergency meeting between Conred authorities, departmental governors of Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez, Insivumeh and vice ministers of Communications and Defense to learn about the situation and take action.
Orange alert and evacuations
He pointed out that the Conred declared an orange alert for the situation
Cossío said that in coordination with other institutions, such as the Ministry of Defense, the evacuation of people is being coordinated in the Morelia and Panimaché 1 communities.
As reported, 760 families from Morelia and 110 from Panimaché 1 will be evacuated and the people will be transferred to two shelters that were set up in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla.
According to information from Conerd, “for prevention purposes, the RN-14 was temporarily closed at two points: Km. 84, in the direction of Escuintla, jurisdiction of Alotenango, Sacatepéquez and at Km. 95, El Rodeo village, Escuintla.
Authorities close the passage on the RN-14 between Sacatepéquez and Escuintla, due to the eruption of the Fuego Volcano. (Free Press Photo: Enrique Paredes)
“The eruptive column remains at a height of more than 6,000 meters above sea level, loaded with abundant ash, which moves to the West and Southeast, more than 50 km away,” the report reads.
He adds that the flows are a mixture of gases, ash and rock blocks, with high temperatures that descend at great speed down the flanks of the Fuego Volcano, “so it cannot be ruled out that in the following hours more pyroclastic flows of characteristics weak, moderate and strong, with a greater reach than any of the ravines of said volcano. Also take into account that rains are expected during the afternoon, which can cause the descent of lahars through any of the ravines.
suspend classes
Due to the eruption, classes were suspended in several schools that are in the area of influence of the colossus, to avoid any situation.
In the village of El Rodeo, Escuintla, classes were suspended due to the eruption of the Fuego Volcano. (Free Press Photo: Enrique Paredes)
