Colombia: Eruption of Nevado Del Huila Volcano - 20 Nov 2008

22-23 Nov 2008, 1:00 p.m.Orange Level (II): Probable Eruption in A Matter of Days or Weeks

Situation

On November 20th, at 9:45 p.m. (local time) the Nevado del Huila Volcano erupted. INGEOMINAS decreed a RED ALERT (I): ERUPTION IMMINENT OR ONGOING.

According to the Extraordinary Report issued on November 21st at 06:30 p.m. (local time) by INGEOMINAS, the activity level of the volcano continued in: RED ALERT (I): ERUPTION IMMINENT OR ONGOING and reported that the seismic activity level over the past 15 hours continued at low levels.

According to a special report issued by INGEOMINAS on November 22nd, 12:30 p.m., the activity level changed to: ORANGE LEVEL (II): ERUPTION PROBABLE IN A MATTER OF DAYS OR WEEKS and reported that "the volcano is currently with low activity levels, which makes it safe to assume that it has entered a stage of seismic stability, for which reason it is pertinent to change its activity level."

During an aerial survey on November 21st, INGEOMINAS observed the formation of a crater in the southwestern quadrant of the Central Peak approximately 400m in diameter, which contained a body of magma in the form of a dome, with degasification. In the aerial survey it was verified that at the time of eruption part of the heated material that surfaced interacted with the glacier cap in the surrounding area, thus melting it and forming a material flow that initially flowed down the Bellavista creek and later down the Paez river. Volcanic ash was deposited in the upper section of the volcanic structure, primarily covering the western sector of the Central and Southern Peaks. The fall of ash and sulfuric odors has also been reported in the municipalities of Corinto, Toribío and Páez in Cauca department.

INGEOMINAS is conducting special monitoring of the evolution of the lava dome which is on the surface.

Affectation

Two mud flows with heights of as much as 30 meters, moving down the Páez river, joined the Magdalena River, which feeds the Betania reservoir in Yaguara municipality in Huila department (see maps of volcanic threat). The reservoir cushioned the impact of the mud flows moving downstream. According to preliminary reports, it was clear that the reservoir can receive at least 5 times more volume than has been received before being forced to open the dam.

Although press reports are giving higher numbers, on 23 November the National Direction for Prevention and Assistance ( DPAD) reported six people death ( three boys, one girl and two men) and three people missing. There is no official estimate on the number of inhabitants of those areas who are isolated or blocked and in need of evacuation.

It is considered that the affectation figures are relatively low thanks to existing contingency plans, in particular: shelters hosted local inhabitants in the high threat area in Páez-Belalcazar municipality when the early warning system was activated. In addition, the familiarity of residents with the Volcano prevented deaths and injuries. However, the avalanches destroyed crops, killed animals, and nearly 20 homes and nearby roads were collapsed with the destruction of 7 bridges and a lack of road access due to landslides.

Calculations are that the affected population by the eruption will rise to at least 104, 000 from Páez-Belalcazar and Inzá (Cauca department), and Nátaga, Tesalia, Paicol and La Plata (Huila department). According to the PAHO/WHO report, approximately 30,079 people in the area are highly vulnerable.

Riverside communities along the Magdalena between the Betania reservoir to the mouth of the river in the Caribbean are on alert, as the river level has been rising due to the 2nd rainy season (September 15th), causing frequent flooding in some areas.

The municipalities of Natagaima, Coyaima, Prado, Purificación, Suárez, Guamo, Espinal, Flandes, Coello, Piedras, Armero and Honda in Tolima department are all on Red Alert.

Magdalena Medio: Civil Defense in the Department of Santander has decreed a red alert along the Magdalena River.

CREPAD in the Department of Santander expressed concern regarding potential chemical contamination of the water, as this could affect local food security, which is dependent on fishing.

In some municipalities in the Department of Antioquia (also Magdalena Medio region), contingency plans have been activated.

National Response

The CLOPAD, CREPAD and the SNPAD are working with populations in the high threat area of the Nevado del Huila volcano on their contingency plans, early warning systems, evacuation routes and shelters, which have given positive results.

At least 300 families, 3,200 people, inhabitants along the Páez river basin in Cauca department relocated to shelters, in accord with the contingency plan. Nearly 105 families from Huila department were sheltered temporarily and received emergency humanitarian assistance.

On 23 November, it was reported that some 282 people had been evacuated between Saturday and Sunday (1:00 PM local time) and 8,960 kilos of humanitarian aid had been transported with the support of the Colombian Air Force.

A Medical team was located in the Resguardo de Cohetando to assist the population. Also, construction materials were transported to Guadualejo and Tálaga in order to evacuate families affected to those areas.

To date, National Firefighters, Colombian Red Cross and Civil Defense are responding to all the emergencies. The DIPECHO Project, Colombian Red Cross and SNPAD installed a radio communication system in the Páez river basin area, which has allowed for constant communication between actors and the municipal seat of Belalcazar, Inzá, and several indigenous reservations in Cauca, as well as Nátaga, Paicol, Tesalia and La Plata municipalities in Huila department.

International Response

UNS agencies and the UNETE team have been in contact with SNPAD, CREPAD and CLOPAD entities in order to monitor the crisis caused by the eruption of Nevado del Huila volcano.

PAHO/WHO provided technical assistance to the healthcare system and monitored the situation.

OCHA maintained the Humanitarian Coordinator up to date and maintained alert levels in order to provide support to SNPAD.