OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Colombia: Nevado del Huila Volcanic Eruption
19 April 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Key issues

Volcanic Eruption Nevado del Huila.

Approximately 3,000 persons affected by the eruption are receiving
humanitarian assistance.

Location

The volcano Nevado del Huila is located in the Parque Natural Nacional
Nevado del Huila, with peaks ranging between 2,600 and 5,780 meters in
height over sea level.

Situation

An aerial reconnaissance conducted in the morning, by the Colombian Air
Force and Army, Ingeominas experts observed "superficial changes in the
volcanic surface, the presence of gas columns approximately 3,000 meters
in height over the peak, blowing in a westerly direction, with the
appearance of new emission points in the lower parts of the central and
La Cresta peaks. The mudflows resulting from the eruption affected the
basins of the Paez and Simbola rivers.  According to IDEAM
(meteorological institute) data registered along the Paez River at the
height of Paicol (Huila) municipality, with increases in the levels 11
times the size of the basin, and with a level 5 meters above average.

In addition, INGEOMINAS reported that with the passage of several hours,
seismic activity showed a significant decrease both in number of events
and energy released, as a result of a relaxation in the system.
Nonetheless, there were still events registered associated with the
fracturing of rocks and the passage of fluids related with the current
volcanic process.


|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|  HOUR  |   DAY    |                ACTIVITY                |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|4:35 PM | 17 April |Registration of seismic activity        |
|        |          |associated with rock fracturing, located|
|        |          |on the central peak of the volcano      |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|5:20 PM | 17 April |Registered over a 45 minute period      |
|        |          |approximately 24 seismic events at the  |
|        |          |same site                               |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|5:20 PM | 17 April |INGEOMINAS declares an upgrade in alert |
|        |          |levels from Yellow to Orange due to a   |
|        |          |possible eruption                       |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|9:44 PM | 17 April |An increase in seismic activity which   |
|        |          |INGEOMINAS associates with the evolution|
|        |          |of an eruption event                    |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|10:45 PM| 17 April |The first reaction of the volcano occurs|
|        |          |with the emission of gases and sound    |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|11:58 PM| 17 April |Stronger noises and the emission of     |
|        |          |mudflows                                |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|02:57 AM| 18 April |According to an INGEOMINAS report, a    |
|        |          |volcanic eruption in Nevado del Huila   |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|6:30 AM | 18 April |IDEAM reports that the water levels of  |
|        |          |the Paez river reach their maximum point|
|        |          |at the Paicol hydrological station,     |
|        |          |marking 6.79 meters, 4.6 meters over the|
|        |          |level before the avalanche.             |
|        |          |A flow of approximately 120 cubic meters|
|        |          |per second, yesterday, increased to     |
|        |          |2,300 meters per second, or 19 times the|
|        |          |level before the event.                 |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|6:45 AM | 18 April |Avalanche reported in Inza municipality.|
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|
|9:40 AM | 18 April |Avalanche reported passing La Plata     |
|        |          |municipality, with calculation of       |
|        |          |arrival at Betania reservoir in 1 and a |
|        |          |half hours.                             |
|--------+----------+----------------------------------------|


Taken from Press Bulletin #2.  Direction of Disaster Prevention and
Attention.  18 April 2007, afternoon.


Impact

The National and Regional Directions of Disaster Prevention and
Attention registered no loss of human lives or injuries among the
affected populations. However, preliminary information reported by the
indigenous Governor of the Talaga community in Cauca Department, a
family composed by 5 persons resulted missing.

The Consejo Regional Indigena del Cauca -CRIC reported that there was
contamination related to volcanic ashes and mudflow in water sources, as
well as loss of crops and the death of livestock. The allegedly affected
population may round 31,820 people. However the census of affected
populations is still in progress.

The main roads network was affected by structural damages and the
destruction of 14 bridges. As result an unknown number of villages
remain still inaccessible by road. However, the area is covered by a
radio communication system.

National Response

According to preliminary information, approximately 3,000 persons,
located in the affected areas, are receiving humanitarian assistance
provided by all the entities encompassing the National Disaster
Prevention and Attention System (Civil Defense, Colombian Red Cross,
etc.)

The hospital network in Huila, Tolima, Cauca and Valle del Cauca
departments is prepared to attend any type of emergency and the
Asociacion de Cabildos Indigenas del Norte del Cauca- ACIN is sending
medical supplies to affected areas.

In addition, a Crisis Room was created in the office of Emergencies in
Huila and Cauca departments, and an Operational Emergency Committees are
permanently monitoring the emergency.

The installations of INGEOMINAS in Cauca Department capital, Popayan,
are now placed with a Unified Command Post under the direction of the
Colombian Red Cross, which will operate for 24 hours.

The National Direction of Disaster Prevention as the coordinating entity
and in collaboration of the regional committees already started leading
damages and needs assessments.

International Response

UNETE met in the morning with National Direction of Disaster Prevention,
and was officially informed that no international call for humanitarian
assistance will be declared, since the contingency plans had functioned
and currently the situation is under control.

OCHA and PAHO have sent two national officers to support the activities
of the CREPADs in Cauca and Huila.

PAHO as of yesterday, 17 April had completed a training workshop on
emergencies and disasters in the healthcare sector in the municipalities
in the area around the volcano, which were affected today.

OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations Resident
Coordinator in Colombia and will provide further information as it
becomes available.

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