Rising water levels of the Calbuco River worry governor of Curacautín

CHERQUENCO.- According to statements made by the governor of Curacautín, Andrés Joanet, while speaking to Radio Cooperativa from the base of the Llaima volcano this morning, the rising water levels of the Calbuco River are currently the most daunting concern for the area.

Joanet stated that at this moment, the mountain cannot be seen, due to snowmelt and heavy rainfall in the entire area of Melipeuco, Vilcún and Cherquenco.

Additionally, the governor indicated that he had been monitoring the volcano’s activity all through the night and said that it has somewhat lessened compared to the activity it had been displaying yesterday evening, which was quite significant.  Nevertheless, the current situation should not warrant alarm. 

With regards to the evacuation plan for the area that will need to be implemented in case of an emergency, the governor stated that residents in the area have had an emergency plan ready since January 1st of this year, when the volcano erupted.

“I have spoken with residents and they all have their bags ready to go, we have meeting points, army trucks and buses nearby that are ready in case there is a need to evacuate”, asserted Joanet.