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Thursday, 20 of August of 2015

19:10

COTOPAXI VOLCANO

PRESS RELEASE 012

Information submitted by the Geophysics Institute of the Polytechnic University

indicated that today at 7:08am there was a small explosion in the Cotopaxi

volcano. During the late afternoon, there was emissions of ash and vapor that

reached 1500 meters over the crater—which due to the wind has been directed

towards the South-West side of the volcano. Consequently, it has been

predicted that the towns of Lasso, Pastocalle and Mulaló will be affected by ash

falls.

On the other hand, preventive measures continue to be enforced by various authorities:

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, so far, has delivered 49

tons of food provisions to feed livestock in the affected areas of the Province

of Cotopaxi.

Seeking to guarantee the safety and wellness of the population from the effects of a potential volcanic eruption, the Parochial Councils of Emergency Operations of the district of Tena, within the Province of Napo, have informed the community about the respective safe zones

In the parish of Mulaló, within the district of Latacunga, a practice drill was performed where the authorities also gave out emergency/volcano preparedness kits.

The Secretary of Risk Management gave out 129 emergency/volcano preparedness kits in San Juan de Romerillo, 150 in Loreto del Pedregal, and 280 in Santa Ana del Pedregal. In addition, they also gave out 500 clinical masks and 500 blankets to the community of Machachi. Meanwhile, maps of risk zones, routes of evacuation, shelters, and safe zones are being socialized with the public.

Decentralized Autonomous Governments continue to perform drills and providing training on preventive measures to the staff and managers of shelters.