Dennis: TEMA preparing for volcano ash deposits if it happens

THA Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis says while the probability of ash from St Vincent’s La Soufriere volcano reaching Tobago is low, the Tobago Emergency Management Emergency (TEMA) is putting things in place.

He told Newsday a contingency plan is being prepared in the event Tobago finds itself in the same position as Barbados and Grenada which have been dealing with ash deposits from the volcano which erupted on Friday last week after months of renewed activity.

As of 1 pm on Monday, the Met Office said it had received no official reports of ash deposits in the country. Meteorologist Saide Shakeer told Newsday by e-mail, "We are currently monitoring all reports from authorised and official bodies as well as atmospheric conditions and factors that may influence the movement of ash either directly or indirectly over our area."

An official release from the Met Office said the probability of the country being significantly affected by ash fall is 20 per cent. There is potential for it to increase if environmental conditions change, and it could be a potential hazard.

On Sahara dust, Shakeer said there is a moderate concentration in the atmosphere.

"There have been several dust plumes fluctuating in concentrations pulsing across the Atlantic for this dry season."

She said people who may be affected by the dust should take the necessary precautions.

In the interim, TEMA has launched a collection drive. Its director Allan Stewart told Newsday the agency started collecting items in earnest on Monday.

He said items could be dropped off at the Tobago Emergency Operations Centre in Fairfield Complex, Scarborough or at the Tobago disaster relief warehouse in Signal Hill.

Items needed include 800- and 1000-gallon water tanks, five-gallon buckets, folding cots, ten-feet and 20-feet tents, blankets, respirator masks with filters, sleeping mats, goggles, reflective vests, 100-feet rolls of caution tape and hygiene kits.