News Categories Health & Science CHILE’S VOLCANO-RUINED CHAITÉN TO BE RELOCATED
| CHILE’S VOLCANO-RUINED CHAITÉN TO BE RELOCATED |
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| Written by Patagonia Times Staff | |
| Thursday, 29 January 2009 | |
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The Chilean government made it clear Thursday it will eventually relocate the southern city of Chaitén (Region X), which was destroyed last year by a major volcanic eruption. The announcement, made by Interior Minister Edmundo Pérez Yoma, put an end to speculation that authorities might heed the desires of Chaitén residents and rebuild the devastated city on its original site.“As it has been since the eruption first began, our obligation as the government is to ensure safety and protect human lives,” said Pérez Yoma. The government reportedly reached its decision after receiving a report filed by Universidad Católica and Universidad Austral researchers, who insist the area – which continues to experience volcanic activity – is still too dangerous for resettlement. The interior minister announced also that beginning in March, Futaleufú will replace Chaitén as the administrative capital of Region X’s Palena province. In order to prevent land speculation, the government has not yet announced where exactly it plans to relocate Chaitén. Possibilities reportedly include Bahía Pumalín, Santa Bárbara and Fandango. The government’s handling of the situation has been sharply criticized by Chaitén city officials, who say residents have been left out of the decision making process. “When tourists come here they say it looks like Chile doesn’t have money to rebuild the area, but we all know that’s not true,” said Bernardo Riquelme, a member of the Chaitén City Council. Veteran Socialist Party Sen. Camilo Escalona, who represents Region X, told reporters Thursday he understands residents’ frustrations but backs the government’s decision to relocate the town and replace its capital status. “A province like Palena cannot function without a capital and in that sense, the decision to designate Futaleufú as the capital was inevitable,” he said. Chaitén’s troubles began last May, when a nearby volcano of the same name erupted for the first time in recorded history. The volcano, which remains active, spewed a massive billow of ash that buried the town. At one point the plume of ash reached as far east as Buenos Aires, Argentina (PT, May 2, 2008) . What wasn’t ruined by ash was later destroyed by devastating floods. SOURCES: LA NACION, RADIO COOPERATIVA By Patagonia Times Staff ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 January 2009 ) |
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