Volcano Ramps Up Activity On PNG Island Of Manam - Reuters

PORT MORESBY - "Voluntary evacuations have begun on a tiny Papua New Guinea island after a major volcanic eruption spewed ash 14 km (nine miles) into the air and blanketed homes, crops and water supplies, officials said on Thursday.

The volcano on Manam, off the country's north coast, began erupting in October but a severe burst on Tuesday night prompted authorities to upgrade volcanic activity to stage 3, and urge voluntary evacuations. A Papua New Guinea volcanologist said the volcano coughed up lava and large rocks. An aviation red alert was issued for aircraft to avoid the area, with an ash plume extending 130 km (80 miles) southeast of Manam.

"The people of Manam are helpless -- living on an island that is sitting on a deadly volcano," said Minister for Inter-Government Relations Sir Peter Barter, who has called for assistance for the islanders of Manam. "The Manam people's food gardens and water sources have been severely affected by the continuous ash falls from the Manam volcano since October 24," he told the Post Courier newspaper. "Hunger is setting in because the islanders have lost their food gardens over the past month since the volcano started erupting," Barter said."

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