Its principles Colombia prepare evacuation plan settlements located within a radius of 15 km around the volcano Nevada del Ruizwhich scientists they think it might explode soon.

The government raised the alert level to orange last week because of this. burst of seismic activity indicating an increased likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the near future.

“We support the decision of the local committees to evict part of the residents,” said Mr. Luis Fernando Velasco, acting director of UNGRD (the national disaster risk management agency), following a meeting he had yesterday Monday with regional authorities. “Perhaps in the coming days it will be deemed appropriate to evacuate more residents,” he added.

This is how the Nevado del Ruiz volcano was seen this morning 👀🗻. In addition, an emission process is distinguished, which is dominated by water vapor (white smoke column) and, to a lesser extent, gray smoke (ash salt). 🧵 pic.twitter.com/POyHJWrFRU

— Servicio Geologico Colombiano (@sgcol) April 3, 2023

The evacuation case has preventive characterVelasco stressed, explaining that communication with specific communities would be difficult in the event of a volcanic eruption.

According to the evacuation plan, initially 40 families will be evicted from settlements in the province of Kalda, while the eviction of another 500 families is being considered. The removal of children is mandatory if parents decide not to comply with the evacuation order, Velasco stressed.

Nevado del Ruiz is one of stratovolcano located between the provinces of Tolima and Caldas, in central Colombia.

Volcanic eruption in 1985 worst natural disaster over the entire history of the country, on account of which more than 25,000 people died.

Source: APE/Reuters.