Kadovar Island

Kadovar tremors felt in Madang: Official

The earth tremors have also been felt in Madang.

Madang Provincial Disaster coordinator, Rudolf Mongali, says if seismic activities increase, the greatest concern would be Karkar Island.

He said the island is densely populated and it will be a nightmare trying to evacuate the 2000-plus people on the island.

Since Mother Nature does not have time to negotiate, he says, fingers are crossed; the tremors are not massive enough to affect the volcanic islands in Madang Province.

Land allocated for Kadovar islanders

Minister Isifu, along with a government delegation, were in Wewak yesterday to visit the islanders on Ruprup Island as well as meet with landowners on the mainland to secure a resettlement site.

The Government delegation consisted of the East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird, Defense Minister, Solan Mirism and Minister for Mining, Johnson Tuke.

Minister Isifu says a 30 hectare piece of land has been identified for purchase at Dandan along the Turubu east coast area, East Sepik.

PNG govt adjusts Kadovar evacuation numbers upwards

The evacuations followed a volcanic eruption on the island which has covered it in ash.

The newspaper The National reported the minister responsible for National Disaster Management, Kevin Isifu, saying previous reports of the island having only 700 people was based on eligible voters in the electoral roll.

Kadovar's population was moved to neighbouring islands, but Mr Isifu said there was a plan to permanently resettle them on the mainland in East Sepik.

Kadovar eruption: Airline reschedules Wewak flight

This follows the volcanic eruption on Kadovar Island in the Wewak district, East Sepik Province.

“Air Niugini wishes to advise the travelling public that Monday’s (08th January 2018) flight, PX126, from Port Moresby to Wewak, has been rescheduled to daylight operations on Tuesday, 9th of January.

“This is to allow for better visibility.”

However, the airline says this will be reviewed first thing in the morning to ascertain the situation.

Island’s entire surface area impacted: Observatory

Thankfully, 591 locals have been evacuated to Blup Blup Island in the north without any reports of casualties.

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory has reported that Kadovar continues to erupt with ash and steam still being emitted.

“Satellite based observations of the eruption indicate that there have been no significant SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions to date,” states RVO.

Over 500 Kadovar residents evacuated

Today, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird told media that no casualties have been reported, but food and water on Blup Blup are diminishing because of the extra number of people.

While the focus today was to get food and water out to Blup Blup, Governor Bird said the most immediate plan is the get all Kadovar islanders to the mainland, to make relief assistance easier, and to plan a way forward to have them permanently resettled there.

Public urged to avoid Kadovar

“Shipping and boat operators should avoid approaching the island, unless on emergency/relief work,” says the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO).

In its updated situation report, the Observatory said the eruption has increased in violence since yesterday (January 6).

“Ash is being emitted and is being blown to the west-northwest and extends for tens of kilometres,” reports the RVO.

“Reports dated 6th January state that 50-60 percent of the island is covered in volcanic products. During the 6th, emissions darkened in colour and became more voluminous.

Kadovar eruption potentially explosive: Observatory

In a report to the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management (DMPGH) secretary, Harry Kore, RVO said this is due to the chemistry of the most recent (pre-historic) cumulodome (high-silica andesite).

“Also due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible, and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated.

“Due to the size of the island, any activity will impact the local population.”

Kadovar eruption: Disaster services yet to respond

Some help has already reached the remote island in evacuating locals, as more is being sought.

Earlier today, two dinghies from nearest Kopar Village in the Angoram District helped to evacuate some Kadovar locals.

Kopar village councilor Tom Kelly told this newsroom that the boats were sent to Kadovar Island as soon as they noticed that something was wrong.

Meantime, Wewak District Administrator Ricky Wobar and Chris Bais from the governor’s office flew with Samaritan Aviation to assess the situation and said the situation has worsened.

Kadovar situation has worsened: Administrator

He made the statement after flying to assess the situation on the island with the Samaritan Aviation, where they observed lava coming out of the once dormant volcano.

There was no evidence of inhabitants where it was hoped that they have all been moved to the nearby islands.

Wobar said they are planning another gathering around 7pm tonight to come up with strategies to address this catastrophe.

Relevant authorities, including the police and defence force, have also been notified.