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Comoros Volcano Eruption Pollutes Water

Posted on: Tuesday, 29 November 2005, 06:20 CST

NAIROBI -- Water supplies to more than 100,000 people in the Indian Ocean Comoros islands have been contaminated by the eruption of one of the world's largest active volcanoes, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Mount Karthala sent clouds of ash and sparks flying late on Thursday, leaving the capital Moroni and other villages on the main island of Grande Comore covered in gray.

"Concerns exist regarding the availability of potable water in the areas exposed to smoke and ashes," said a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"Preliminary results from the assessment indicate that as many as 118,000 persons living in 75 villages may be affected by the contamination of water tanks," the report said.

OCHA said they were also concerned about the impact of the pollution from volcanic debris on agriculture and livestock.

OCHA said approximately 2,000 people fled their villages in the region of Bambao in the central part of the island, and have sought refuge in less exposed areas.

In April, a volcanic eruption hit the eastern part of the island, affecting around 40,000 residents and forcing thousands to flee in fear of poisonous gas and a possible magma flow.

It was the first eruption in more than decade on the archipelego nation, 300 km (190 miles) off the coast of east Africa.

OCHA said seismographic data collected by the Karthala Volcanologic Observatory has shown seismic activity continuing.

"According to the observatory, a lava lake is in formation in the crater, as of yet confined within the crater," said OCHA.

The islands have largely escaped major destruction from the volcano, which has erupted every 11 years on average over the last 200 years, but has had several close calls.

Source: REUTERS

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