Eruption of Pacaya volcano in Guatemala affects 1,300 farming families

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Pacaya volcano, one of the most active of the 32 volcanoes in Guatemala, registered this Wednesday, March 31, new eruptions and ash throwing as in the last weeks, affecting already more than 1,300 farming families.

According to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (Insivumeh), the colossus of 2,552 meters above sea level has been active for more than 50 days, which is considered the longest in history.

The scientific entity’s report indicates that the eruption in the crater called Mackenney continues with the emission of thick columns of ash and gases that this Wednesday rise to 3,000 meters of height and that are dispersed in south and southwest direction at a distance of 20 kilometers.

Authorities warned of possible ashfall in the communities located in the western and southern part of the volcano, such as El Patrocinio, San José El Rodeo Los Ríos, Finca el Chupadero, and Los Pocitos.

The cone’s activity continues to feed the lava flow on the western flank, which reaches a length of 2,900 meters, causing fires in the vegetation. Also, there are detachments of incandescent blocks on the front of the lava river.

The Insivumeh said that it is not discarded that in the next hours, major eruptive columns are registered in the volcano, located in the center of the country, between the departments of Guatemala and Escuintla.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA), the material released by the volcano has already caused millions of dollars in crop losses in several communities, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food (MAGA).

So far, preliminary estimates indicate the loss of more than 600 hectares of coffee and avocado in that region, affecting 1,300 families dedicated to those crops.

The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) reported on Wednesday that they remain vigilant of the eruption of Pacaya and that since last year they have strengthened the protocol of care in the communities, where 14 centers are ready to be used as shelters for possible evacuations.

According to the spokesman of this civil protection institution, David de León, these centers are located in San Vicente Pacaya, Villa Canales, and Amatitlán.

The last major eruption of a volcano in Guatemala was on June 3, 2018, when the Fuego volcano took the lives of 431 people living in its surroundings.

Source: EFE