– said Guyanese farmers facing a volcano, living in an ‘orange’ zone; not leave animals behind
LIVING through a volcanic eruption is not an experience many people want or would want, but it is a reality for the citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), who have been facing constant eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano since April 9.
Before this, the last time La Soufrière exploded was in 1979. Guyanese living in St. Vincent, Joylyn Dennis Lampkin, there are still not many who experienced that explosion around. He certainly did not prove it. Competing with explosions this year, though, has been her experience.
She and her husband live in the “orange” zone on the island, which is the second highest danger zone, given its proximity to the active volcano. Here, the couple manage substantial acres of farmland and livestock at the back, which has allowed them to become self-sufficient. And the couple chose not to empty into the “green” or low-risk zones, after La Soufrière began to explode.
“Because of the love of our animals, we didn’t move,” Lampkin told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview. “We asked for systems to be put in place to move the animals but no response and eventually other farmers had to move.”
Although about 90 percent of the population in the orange zone had emptied, the Lampkins and a few other farmers stayed behind to tend to their animals instead of letting them take care of themselves.
“It’s sad to see the animals wandering around and they are dying. This is people’s livelihood … they have nothing else and (the animals have no grass to eat, “Lampkin stressed.
This orange zone, though relatively close to the volcano, is a hilly place. Lampkin explained that she lives in one of the island’s highest points, adjacent to the Belmont Observatory staffed by a 24-hour PCA Seismic Research Center, which monitors the volcano.
“We’re not alone, we’re surrounded by a network of people – mostly farmers – we support each other and we supply water to others,” explains Lampkin.
Explaining the situation, Lampkin noted that the local authorities were cutting off the water supply to this area in an attempt to encourage people in this area to evacuate to safety. Because of Lampkins’ proximity to the observatory, however, they were able to benefit from a seamless supply of water supplied to the researchers there. And in turn, the Lampkins have been able to supply water to the farmers who have stayed there but have been without water.
‘NOT FIRE AND BRIMSTONE’
Although she, her husband and dozens of farmers decided to stay behind and look after their livestock, Lampkin assured this newspaper that she was safe and sound, and well looked after.
“This kinda thing that I envisaged would get us moving – the heat and the fire and the brimstone, we’re not having that kind of impact,” said Lampkin, adding: “People are think we are in danger (but) it’s nothing like that. It’s just the ashes … ash is falling on you all the time but if you’re indoors, you can protect yourself. “
There has been an abundance of ash collapse, forcing the Lampkins to constantly clean their buildings and even wearing special breathing masks at times. Still, Lampkin emphasized that she and her husband prefer to stay in their own homes where they have constant food, water and electricity because of their solar power system.
“It’s not as bad as us here. Those in the ‘red’ zone [the high hazard area, closest to the volcano], they had to leave but those of us on the heels, we don’t really have to leave, ”said the woman as well.
This abundance of ash fall was highlighted by another Guyanese resident on the island, Clifton Pollard. He lives in Belair, in the “green” or low hazard zone at the southern end of the island.
“A green zone is supposed to have a light effect, but because this explosion was so large, the green zone didn’t really look like a green zone,” said Pollard.
On April 9, when the volcano erupted, Pollard noted that he did not realize the volcano had erupted. In fact, it was only after he saw the news and checked social media that he became aware of the explosion. Subsequently, however, he looked outside and saw thick black smoke – which appeared to be a nuclear explosion – spread across the sky.
SEEMED LIKE MOVIE
“It seemed like a movie because you only see it in a movie,” Pollard highlighted.
As the eruptions continued, Pollard was part of a team tasked with ensuring that communications equipment in the Red zone was well maintained and not damaged by the volcanic eruption, such as that there would be no communication interruption.
Pollard highlighted that the experience was fascinating, not scary. “The only serious things happening were stones falling from the air and a heavy fall of ash,” he said, adding: “Imagine it is 10:30 in the morning and the place is just dark. It’s like an old-time black and white movie, or a vintage gray look. ”
The ash eventually covered buildings and surfaces across the island. It spread to the island of Barbados and spread across the African continent, with some substances reaching as far as India. On SVG, the depth of ash fall varied.
With the ash fall, dense dust is almighty, associated with Pollard, adding that this can cause severe discomfort and respiratory restrictions. For this reason, he said, citizens were advised to stay inside and keep their windows closed. Initially, this was difficult, as intermittent power cuts meant the place was heated. However, with the return of regular power eventually, this situation was remedied.
Meanwhile, across the green zone, Pollard said shelters have been set up to support evacuated people. These days, however, Pollard said there is some normality within the green zone, even as the explosions continue. But, the people are waiting with bated breaths as it is unknown what other disaster might happen.
News 784, reported in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that the Geologist and Professor, Richard Robertson, based at the Belmont Observatory, noted that the eruptions could last for weeks, if not months.