THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
Over the last 24 hours there have been three explosive eruptions from the Soufriere Hills Volcano. Each of these has produced ash clouds and these have blown towards the northern safe areas and dumped lots of ash in areas from Salem to Cudjoe Head.
Conditions are very ashy and everyone is being urged to wear their ash masks.
The explosive eruptions have produced pyroclastic flows which have gone down Gages and the Farrell's Plain and are impacting the upper reaches of the Belham Valley. All residents close to the valley are being urged to move immediately.
FERRY SERVICE AMMENDED:
It has been announced that the ferry "Antilles Express" will now take Sundays off instead of Mondays on its service between Montserrat and Antigua. To compensate for this the ferry will run an additional service from Antigua to Montserrat on Monday morning departing Heritage Quay at 6.30 am. The other services between the two islands from Monday to Saturday remain as normal.
SURGEON LEAVES:
Dr Prakash who has been the acting surgeon at the St John's Hospital leaves island tomorrow at the end of his contract. After a period of vacation he will take up a new post in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
LOOK-OUT SITE ALMOST COMPLETED:
The site at Look-Out School has been expanded by the installation of port-a-cabins to allow more shelter space for residents of the Salem area who are currently relocating. The Salem residents are expected to move in tomorrow when work will be completed.
SALEM EVACUATION CONTINUES:
MVO scientists are still recommending that the areas of Old Towne, Southern Olveston, Happy Hill, Belham, Friths, Hope and Salem south of Nantes River be evacuated as they are at risk. Efforts are being made by the EOC to provide accommodation for everyone in the area so that the areas can be evacuated by Saturday of this week.
LPG BACK ON ISLAND:
LPG bottles for cooking purposes have been delivered to the island to end the shortage. Commercial distribution of the bottles will start almost immediately by Delta the lone suppliers of the commodity on island.
More information tomorrow................................
Government Information Service