allAfrica.com: Tanzania: Thousands Flee From 'Mountain of God' (Page 1 of 2)

In the past they defied orders from the government to evacuate from areas surrounding Oldonyo Lengai on grounds that for generations they were familiar with volcanic ash from the vents atop the mountain.

But, nine months after the mountain has continuously been emitting smoke into the sky and molten rock on its slopes, many residents need not to be told by anyone to move away for safety reasons.

Slopes of Oldonyo Lengai after recent eruption

Reports from the area, one of the most inhospitable terrains due to scorching temperatures and remote as well, say many people who have lived around the 'mountain of God" are now calling it quits.

Government authorities in Ngorongoro district have confirmed that many residents are now moving away to settle in other villages which are a safe distance from the active volcano.

Ngorongoro MP Saning'o Ole Telele told reporters last weekend that up to 5,000 people may have moved out of the area for fear of being affected by the volcanic ash and hot lava.

He said some of those who have fled include those who have lived around Oldonyo Lengai for many years. They are reported to have relocated from the area with their livestock herds.

Many of them have re-settled in Ebwati, Nainokanoka, Ekipisu and Malambo villages in Ngorongoro district and Silalei and Mto-wa- Mbu villages in neighbouring Monduli villages.

Others have gone to Gelai, Gelaibombwa na Chumvini villages which are a safe distance from the "smoking mountain" and east of Lake Natron.

Those fleeing, says, Mr. Ole Telele, did so fearing the effects of the mountain behaviour, having spewed smoke almost continuously since July last year.

According to the Ngorongoro legislator, himself born there, the revered mountain on the Great Rift Valley bed has not behaved the way it did this time around.

"This is the first time for many years that we have seen the mountain spewing ash and lava continuously for such long time. The situation has been compounded by the earthquakes" he added.

The eruption of the mountain, believed to have been triggered by a series of earthquakes, that battered northen regions since last July, may appear a natural phenomenon but can lead to humanitarian crisis.

It has led to, among other things, food crisis because those displaced had to be supported by relatives in their villages of destination.

Many men have also abandoned their homesteads to seek jobs in towns and trading centres.The mountain and the adjacent Lake Natron are about 250 kilometres north west of Arusha.

The displacement due to volcanic eruption has come at a particularly unfavourable time. Oldonyo Lengai area and the entire Maasailand is reeling under prolonged dry spell this year.

The government has not been quiet all along since the crisis began last year.

First it advised people to keep away from the mountain especially during the height of the earthquakes and when it started erupting.

Several teams of officials, including those responsible for disaster management under the Prime Minister's Office, have been there many times trying to assess the situation.

Those told to keep away included the tourists who are fond of being to the area, Oldonyo Lengai being the only active volcano in East Africa.

Those who spoke to journalists who visited the area after first reports of eruption, played down dangers from the mountain, maintaining that the phenomenon was common.

Those who opposed what they called "alarmist" calls criticised the authorities of making statements in order to scare away tourists. The industry supports a handful of people there.

But it did not take long before a tour guide who was taking tourists atop the mountain on fire was himself severely burnt by the hot magma flowing from high on the mountain.

Few weeks later, it was the turn of the pastoralists. Their livestock were affected by volcanic ash and dust. Some are reported to have fallen sick or died.

For the nomadic pastoralists, that was enough excuse to stick to the tradition; looking for greener pastures for the animals when something has gone wrong around their living spot.

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