PNG VOLCANO ERUPTIONS
Jan 14, 2018 Situation Report download PDF
SITUATION OVERVIEW
A volcano on the island of Kadovar, located about 24km north of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) mainland, began erupting on January 5. That prompted the evacuation of the population Kadovar to the nearby island of Blup Blup. The PNG government then decided to evacuate Blup Blup as well because of issues with supplying people on the island along with the danger from the eruption.Source
East Sepik provincial government and the PNG Defence Force is working to evacuate approximately 3,000 people. They are in need of more boats and fuel. source Rabaul Volcano Observatory Declares Kadovar High Risk Zone. An IDP camp is being created along the coast of the mainland in Dahn Dahn village, Turubu LLG source Papua New Guinea Red Cross is quoted as saying that the citizens are in immediate need of food, water, shelter and clothing.
SIGNIFICANT UPDATES (MOST RECENT FIRST)
Jan 15
- Biem Island, east of erupting Kadovar Island, is being evacuated and is now a priority. The East Sepik provincial government and the PNG Defence Force is working to evacuate 3,000 people. They are in need of more boats and fuel. source
- Tsunami Risks: Mr O’Neill 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 Source
- Rup Rup Island Evacuation – Mr O’Neill requested assistance from the South Sea Tuna vessel to immediately steam to help evacuate Rup Rup island. Kadovar Island evacuees were sent to Rup Rup and are now being evacuated to the mainland. source
Jan 14
- East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird was informed that the Biem island volcano, as we feared, is now also becoming active. I have changed our engagement in the disaster. Biem is now our priority because there are more than 3,000 people on that island. I have directed all efforts to Biem island as our top priority. I have also requested the use of the South Sea Tuna vessel to immediately steam to Ruprup island and begin evacuating our people there Read more: Source
Jan 13:
- East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird dispatched the PNG Defence Force landing craft to evacuate 1,700 evacuees at Ruprup island. “Last night I dispatched the PNG Defence Force landing craft to evacuate 1,700 evacuees at Ruprup island. Read more: source
NATIONAL LINKS
- National Disaster Centre: website, facebook
- Papua New Guinea Red Cross: website, facebook, @PNGRedCross
- PNG Defence Force: website, facebook
- National Information & Communications Technology Authority of PNG (NICTA): website, facebook
REGIONAL AND LOCAL LINKS
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Police, fire, ambulance: 000
Other emergency numbers: http://www.pngbd.com/emergency.php
Information Helplines
- PNG Red Cross Society – Ph: (675) 325 8579/ 7016, Fax: (675) 325 9714, Email: @PNGRedCross
MAPS AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
SHELTERS AND EVACUATION CENTERS
- Dahn Dahn, Turubu, Wewak District, PNGCitizens of Rup Rup (Blup Blup) being impacted by the Biem Island eruption are being relocated to an IDP center which is being created in Dahn Dahn village, Turubu LLG. source
HOSPITALS AND AIRPORTS
Hospitals
- Map of hospitals and health centers. source
Airports
- Jan 15: Air Niugini flights in and out of Wewak may be affected by the Kadovar island eruption. For any queries and schedule updates for Wewak flights, you may contact our Call Centre on Toll Free number 180 3444, the Port Moresby Domestic Terminal Customer Services on 327 3409 or the Wewak Airport office on 456 2367. source
- Jan 14 – Flights have been cancelled and all ships and boats not involved with the evacuation effort are to keep clear of the #Kadovar island area following volcanic eruption. source
Lists of Airports / Links
COMMUNICATIONS
Useful Links
- Digicel PNG – Tel: +675 7222 2222, Email: website, facebook, @DigicelPNG
Amateur Radio
- Rick Warnett (SK) P29KFS from Port Moresby Papua New Guinea repeaters. source
POWER AND FUEL
Status
East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird said the provincial government was running out of fuel and the province did not have enough boats to evacuate islanders. source
Useful Links
- PNG Power Ltd – website, National Call Centre Numbers: 7090 8000 / 7653 5272 / 7652 5261 or email us: callcentre@pngpower.com.pg
Pictures and Videos
- Jan 10: Video from local EMTV Online with map and explanation of the tsunami risk and the warnings issued. source
- Jan 9: Small plane flyby raw video of Kadovar. source
- Jan 6: Aerial video of Kadovar. source
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Hashtags #PNG #PapuaNewGuinea #Kadovar #Biem #RupRup
- Twitter Accounts of Interest: Humanity Road Papua New Guinea twitter list
- FaceBook Accounts: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EMTVonline