Govt must guarantee safety from lahar

The Government, the Department of Conservation and Chris Carter need to guarantee the people living near Mt Ruapehu that all that can be done has been done to protect life and livelihood, says National’s Conservation spokesman, Simon Power.

The crater lake on Mount Ruapehu has risen above the crater’s hard rock rim.

Scientists have confirmed a lahar is inevitable within the next 18 months

Mr Power says the situation has reached the point of no return.

“The Government has known this was coming for months and has chosen to take very limited action.

“A damaging lahar is the last thing the people of the Whangaehu valley need after floods devastated their farmland last year.

“The people of the Rangitikei expect the Government to protect their lives and investments from preventable natural disasters. The Government must now guarantee they have done everything possible to ensure this and take responsibility if the worst happens.

“The early warning system could save lives, but livelihoods are at stake and the Government may regret not acting when it had the opportunity,” says Mr Power.

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