THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
There have been two more explosive eruptions at the Soufriere Hills Volcano each causing ash and clasps of pumice to fall in various parts of the island. The eruptions are now about 10 hours apart and are preceded by hybrid earthquakes. The next one should be at about 1.30 pm today if the cyclic pattern holds good.
Very high levels of ash and pumice have fallen in Salem, Woodlands, St Peters, Cudjoe Head and St Johns and conditions are very ashy, everyone is urged to wear their masks.
Pyroclastic flows after the explosions have travelled down into the Gages Valley and could impact the Belham Valley, All residents must move from areas close to the valley immediately.
It is now estimated that Sunday's collapse from the dome was the biggest to date and for a few hours this morning the dome was clearly visible, the dome is now much higher than Chances Peak.
EVACUATION OF EXCLUSION ZONE CONTINUES:
The evacuation of all areas in the exclusion zone south of Nantes River continues as every effort is made to clear the remaining residents from the area into the area north of Nantes River. Most remaining residents are to be housed at shelters at Look-Out School and at Mongo Hill. All areas in the exclusion zone have a dusk till dawn curfew.
MONLEC ABOUT TO COMMENCE WORK AT HELIPORT:
All overhead electricity lines close to the Heliport at Geralds are to be re-installed inderground. MONLEC are about to start work on the project.
ROAD AT FOGERTY'S GHAUT BEING WIDENED:
PWD are working on the widening of the zig-zag road down Fogerty's Ghaut as part of the Hilltop to Brades road improvement scheme. The road will be completely resurfaced as part of the scheme when the new hot mix plant arrives on island. The plant has been shipped and is expected on island during this weekend.
PHASED VOLUNTARY OVERSEAS RELOCATION SCHEME:
The British funded phased voluntary relocation scheme overseas has now had 3020 persons registered wishing to leave with 881 already left since the inception of the scheme.
ACCOMMODATION NORTH OF NANTES RIVER:
Anyone with spare accommodation north of Nantes River is being urged to register their accommodation at the Food Voucher Office (491 5932). It has been agreed by Britain and Montserrat that anyone north of Nantes River who can host persons relocating from south of the river during the current relocation will be paid an allowance of $250 per month for each person hosted.
HELICOPTER WILL OPERATE SUNDAY:
The helicopter operating between Montserrat and Antigua will now operate on Sundays to compensate for the sea ferry which now takes each Sunday off. The helicopter service operates at the normal times and its agents and fares remain the same.
POSTAL SERVICES RUNNING NORMALLY:
The postal services to / from Montserrat are operating normally. The general Post Office is currently situated in Northern Olveston opposite the Royal Bank of Canada.
MONTSERRAT INFORMATION OFFICE:
The Montserrat Information Office in Antigua has moved to the old Lands & Surveys Building at the corner of Independence Ave and St Mary's Street and is open from 9 am to 12 noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm. Drop in for all the information on Montserrat. Tel / fax number is 268 460 9677.
More information on Monday...............................
Government Information Service