28 May 2002

PNG's Manem island still on alert after volcanic eruption

5:09 am on 28 May 2002

Papua New Guinea's Disaster and Management Services says Manem islanders are still on alert for another possible volcanic eruption.

Henry Mokono says experts monitoring the volcanic activity on Manem are predicting a major eruption within the next couple of weeks.

Up to 2-thousand residents have been on evacuation alert since Manem volcano emitted acidic ash and lava on Sunday 19th.

Mr Mokono says those affected by the eruption have been relocated to other parts of the island, relieving possible food and water shortages.

He says despite the islanders return to normalcy, there is still a possibility that the volcano will erupt.

"the last time that erupted was two or three weeks ago so we're expecting some activity on the island in the next couple of days or week, so we're keeping the full alert on the island as I speak because I've got information here which tells me that since the last eruption in 1996 we should expect something within the next 8 to ten years and that is up as of this year, so we should be expecting some major activity on the island."

Henry Mokono