Kadovar

Governor Allan Bird noted an overwhelming response from all over the country to assist in the plight of the East Sepik people.

He said among the donors, the National Capital District Commission has been the most significant with a K100,000 donation on Wednesday (Jan 17).

Others who have also assisted were the Prime Minister’s office and National Gaming Control Board.

Governor Bird was also overwhelmed at the set-up of the NCDC tents at the City Hall car park, noting that this is indeed a heart touching response led by the NCDC office.

Speaking at the NCD city hall on Wednesday, the governor reiterated that although they have received overwhelming response from many organisations as well as individuals, the challenge now is to take care of the impacted people until they are resettled.

In giving an update on the relief exercise, Governor Bird highlighted that they were also facing difficulties in accessing funds as there was not enough for the provincial government.

He said the HMPNGS Lakekamu had gone back to Wewak to refill and the monies donated by the NCDC would likely go towards fuel.

According to Chris Bais of the East Sepik Governor’s Office, within 11 days from the day of eruption, organisers were able to supply relief food supplies, 20 litres of water, cartons of drinking water and tarpaulins.

The complete evacuation of Kadavor villagers to the care centre at Dandan also took place within 11 days.

So far over 533 men, women and children are at the Dandan care centre.

The Department established radio contact with the Chief of Bam (Biem) Island, who is on site, yesterday evening.

“It can now be categorically stated that there has been no volcanic activity of any kind on that island,” says the Dept.

“Kadovar however, continues to produce a steam plume to a few hundred meters.”

This confirmation supports the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory’s statement on Sunday regarding the lack of volcanic activity on Biem.

Unconfirmed reports that Biem Island in East Sepik may erupt has redirected evacuation efforts.

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has instructed for the people of Biem to be moved first to the mainland.

The unconfirmed reports coming from the locals on Biem has prompted this swift action.

The evacuation plan, as stated by the East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird, was to get the Biem islanders to the safety of the mainland; this is now immediate.

The Prime Minister also again issued a warning for all coastal communities in the north of the country to be on alert for the risk of tsunami resulting from volcanic activity.

“National Government agencies, led by our disciplined services, have been stood-up to respond to volcanic activity on Kadavor Island,” the Prime Minister said.

“Volcanoes are very unpredictable, we are hearing various reports that activity has been building up and we need to take all precautions to keep our people safe.

“Reports of 12km high plumes above Bam (Biem) and Kadovar were probably thunder clouds,” stated the Observatory.

Furthermore, the RVO said meteorologists have reported thunderstorms in the vicinity, with tops consistent with the 12km reported heights.

“The images from Bam (Biem) purportedly showing a ‘sulphur plume’ in the water at the coast are probably showing long standing thermal feature,” says the Observatory.

Additionally, the RVO said a number of islanders returning from Biem yesterday have reported no unusual activity apart from tremors.

The RVO says there was a large blast towards the south on Friday, January 12.

“Big rocks were blasted out and there was a significant amount of material involved,” reports the Observatory.

“The rocks were glowing red. People on Ruprup Island, 15km to the north, could see red glow coming from the area of the summit, or from the hidden southern flank. 

“Only one blast has been reported to date.”

The sleeping volcano, which erupted on January 5, is now emitting significant amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2).

This was confirmed by the Minister for Inter-Governmental Relations and Member for Wewak Open, Kevin Isifu, during the launch of the Kadovar Appeal at Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, on Friday.

He said two major issues have been identified and will have to be rectified by this weekend.

The first is to identify and pay the landowners, which will cost up to K300,000.

“This is to make sure the land is being organised for the people of Kadovar to be relocated to,” Isifu stated.

The centre for relief supplies was launched on Friday by Minister for Inter-Government Relations and Member for Wewak, Kevin Isifu, along with the director for the National Disaster Center, Martin Mose.

Isifu thanked stakeholders for making sure that the people of Kadovar are safe and that the disaster has been managed properly.

“We have now brought the necessary relief supplies to the island and have taken care of the needs of the displaced people of Kadovar Island.”