An associate professor at the University of Juba on Wednesday demystified claims of a suspected volcanic eruption in Katire, Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria State.
This came after a team comprising geologists and environmentalists visited the area to assess and investigate the suspected eruption.
The experts said that after two days of assessment and investigations at the site, there was no evidence of an eruption but they admitted that the water in the river had changed color and is unclear.
On 4 July, an unusual phenomenon happened in Katire resulting in the death of thousands of fish and the destruction of farms, leaving local communities confused and in panic.
Dr. John Leju Celestino, an Associate Professor at the University of Juba’s Department of Environmental Studies in the College of Mining, rubbished the rumors and said the samples they collected differ from that of a real eruption.
“Through our preliminary findings after moving to several locations covering between 20 to 15 kilometers, we have found that there is no evidence of an eruption,” he explained. “We collected several samples from different streams and we identified that the source of the water that looks milky and the turbidity of the water actually differs from other water points.”
On his part, Salvatore Ater, a senior geologist at the National Ministry of Mining, urged communities in the area not to drink the unclear water from the streams, saying it might have negative health impacts in the future.
“Those who live near the stream in Katire should avoid drinking this water because it may be contaminated and might affect them in the future,” he cautioned. “Children must also not play near that focal point because that area is very dangerous and might develop some deep holes that can extend to 10 or more meters in depth.”
Ater said the samples they collected will be taken to Juba for further examinations.
“We went to the location where the incident occurred and found that the water is polluted with some colors like sulfate, some of the grass turned white and there are some holes in the ground filled with contaminated whitish water,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dominic Onyu, an SPLM lawmaker in the state parliament who hails from Katire, urged communities to remain calm and continue with their normal activities as they await the test results.
“The impact was not so bad according to the assessment, so, people should not worry because they will be informed when the results are ready,” he said. “People spread information that there was a volcanic eruption but the geologist said there was pressure from the ground. The people should however take precautions and be careful.”