Thousands Evacuated in Northeastern Ethiopia Amid Volcanic Activity at Mount Dofen

Thousands Evacuated in Northeastern Ethiopia Amid Volcanic Activity at Mount Dofen

Thousands of civilians in the remote northeastern region of Ethiopia have been evacuated due to potential volcanic threats following unusual steam eruptions at Mount Dofen, a long-dormant volcano in the Afar Region. The evacuations, which began on Friday, were prompted by concerns that the volcanic activity could escalate into a dangerous eruption, putting local populations at significant risk.

Since Thursday, the area has experienced visible steam emissions from Mount Dofen, raising alarms among local authorities and experts. These eruptions are being closely monitored by the Ethiopian Institute of Geological Survey (EIGS), which warned that although these steam events are often precursors to volcanic eruptions, they do not guarantee a full eruption. Nevertheless, the potential danger has prompted the government to initiate the evacuations as a precautionary measure.

The volcanic mud flowing from Mount Dofen has already caused severe damage to critical infrastructure in the region, including major roads that are crucial for transport and emergency access. The volcanic activity has also led to large cracks in the ground, damaging dozens of homes and properties. Local officials from the Afar Region Disaster Risk Management Office confirmed the destruction, noting that the region’s already fragile infrastructure has been further strained by the natural hazards.

The Afar Region is one of Ethiopia’s driest and hottest areas, characterized by an arid climate and a history of volcanic eruptions. It is also frequently affected by earthquakes and seismic activity due to its location along the East African Rift. In addition to volcanic threats, the region faces periodic droughts, famine, and flooding, all of which have prompted multiple evacuations in the past decade.

Professor Atalay Ayele, an Ethiopian Geophysics expert , Space Science, and Astronomy

Professor Atalay Ayele, a geophysics expert from the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science, and Astronomy at Addis Ababa University, noted that while the steam eruptions from Mount Dofen are concerning, they do not necessarily indicate an imminent volcanic eruption. “The situation is being monitored closely, but the steam emissions alone do not confirm that a major eruption is forthcoming,” he explained.

Authorities are continuing to move residents to safer areas within the Afar Region, providing shelter and emergency relief to those displaced. However, with the region’s ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters, local authorities remain on high alert, coordinating with national disaster management teams and international agencies to prepare for further potential hazards.

The evacuations in northeastern Ethiopia are the latest in a series of crises faced by the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by both geological instability and climate-related disasters.

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