Tungurahua volcano raises the alarms

Tungurahua volcano exploded last Sunday

With a loud explosion heard yesterday morning, which was felt in much of the country, and pyroclastic flow down the skirts of the volcano, the eruptive process that began fourteen years ago was revived.

Chacauco population in the Pelileo canton (Tungurahua) and Bilbao in the canton Penipe (Chimborazo) were the most affected, so the inhabitants were evacuated. In addition, ash fell in the provinces of Bolivar, Los Rios and Manabi.

The National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR) declared an orange alert in areas considered of high risk in Tungurahua and Chimborazo. The Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) should be remain “on standby for immediate actions required to protect the public.”

The operations at international airports Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (Guayaquil) and Mariscal Sucre (Quito-Tababela) have not been affected.

During the day, the Tungurahua volcano was relatively calm and there have been no big explosions, but the SNGR maintains the orange alert, which means caution in the volcano area.