The La Soufriere volcano is “silent,” but additional dangers like that as lahar (mudflow) generated by strong evening and early morning rainfall pose a new type of threat to the inhabitants of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
A few days ago, during a bulletin on NBC Radio, seismologist Roderick Stewart warned that even though the volcano was silent and there were no earthquakes, mud avalanches were happening in all of the key drainage basins and might have inflicted serious damage as they went from the volcanic mountain down into the sea.
Stewart watching and monitoring the situation from the Belmont base, predicted floods since lahars tend to obstruct old canals and drains as well as cut existing roads and trails.
“The primary risk from the volcanic eruption has decreased for the time being, but these kinds of subsidiary dangers – which are huge threats – are gaining over for now,” he continued.
“This might be the vision we have for the rest of the wet season. This type of threat might occur on a regular basis.”
On the very same broadcast several weeks back, seismologist Professor Richard Robertson of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre cautioned of the danger of mud avalanches as the heavy rainfall neared on the island region.
Lahars are a strong mud avalanche or debris flow made up of pyroclastic material, stony rubble, and groundwater. The debris that rushes downhill from a volcano, usually in a river valley, is tremendously devastating, moving at hundreds of meters per minute and destroying any buildings in its route.
While out there on the ground, Robertson saw vapor in some of the water.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who joined the conversation by phone, issued a warning to residents in settlements on the mountains and near waterways. He stated that during the storms from 2010 to 2013, his administration reconstructed 5 bridges, elevating them further, but Robertson informed him that the design would be examined when the lahars arrive.
One of them is the Rabacca Dry River Bridge, and video posted on social media revealed a section of the rail was destroyed and the flood was rushing. Gonsalves expressed concern about the bridge’s structural integrity, despite the fact that it was constructed at an expense of $5 million with Mexican help.
Stewart also called on people, particularly those in SUVs who might be lured, not to go via the waters, no matter how deep it was. He claimed that though the river was just six inches deep, it contained stuff and was strong enough to wipe away automobiles.
