Authorities in Eastern Equatoria state have ordered an immediate evacuation in Himodonge Payam after a cave on Obwarak Mountain began emitting thick, colored smoke, raising concerns about a possible volcanic eruption.
Commissioner Lokang Charles Italian visited the site on Sunday and warned that the smoke could pose serious health risks. “The smoke billowing from the mountain carries hazardous pollutants that could seriously endanger public health. We urgently require national experts to conduct a comprehensive assessment,” he said.
Eyewitnesses reported increasing alarm over the phenomenon.
Mr. Yomoi, who was near the mountain’s base, told Radio Tamazuj that the smoke first appeared last Tuesday. “Now, my family’s safety is my top priority. We must leave immediately. Anything could happen at any moment,” he said.
Community leaders echoed calls for caution. Youth leader Stephen Aburas Venancio urged residents to avoid the mountain and for farmers to return home. “The danger is palpable, and we cannot afford to be complacent,” he said.
Boma chief Mathew Ohide Taudesio cited historical eruptions in the region in 1971 and 1981, warning that the area remains vulnerable to volcanic activity.
Similar fears arose in July 2024 in nearby Ikotos County, where unusual geological activity prompted panic. Experts later determined the events were caused by rare hydrothermal activity, not volcanic eruptions.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the current smoke indicates an impending eruption, and national geological teams are expected to assess the site.