Ash fall from La Soufriere volcano causing road accidents in Barbados

After the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the neighbouring island of Barbados is also suffering from a massive ashfall caused.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams addressed an emergency meeting on Monday evening to address the issue, and he asked people to stay calm.

Minister Wilfred Abrahams stated that Barbados is submerged in ashfall caused by the La Soufriere volcano eruption. He noted that the condition in St Vincent and the Grenadines is much worse, and it is a life-changing as well as threatening experience.

He stated that Barbados is getting advice from experts of the Seismic Research Centre on the ashfall and how it can be controlled.

"It has made things difficult for all of us because it is an act of God, and even with the best attempts of the science, the volcano will do what a volcano does," added Minister Wilfred Abrahams.

Minister of Home Affairs stated that it takes 19 minutes for the dust to reach Barbados after an eruption in the La Soufriere volcano.

Barbados also started a cleanup campaign on Monday to clear the massive debris of volcanic ashfall. Minister of Home Affairs stated that the situation is much worse on the East and West coast of Barbados, where heavy gusts are causing dust storms, making it hard to clean up the ashfall.

Minister Abrahams advised people to stay at their homes so that the cleanup process can be started easily.

"We have people out cleaning the roads, putting themselves at risk trying to make our lives normal. When you are on the roads, you are presenting a risk to the people who are trying to do us a service," stated Minister Abrahams.

Besides this, he stated that after rain on the ashfall, the roads have become very hazardous, causing road accidents.

Professor Robertson- Director of UWI Seismic Research Centre, stated that as La Soufriere volcano stands 1,234 meters tall, because of the massive height, wind contributes to flowing the ash to a greater distance.