Plans for Big Horo Ruapehu Exercise

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 599, 15 August 1995, Page 11 (Supplement)

Plans for Big Horo Ruapehu Exercise

The Department of Conservation is planning a large civil defence exercise for the Whakapapa Village and surrounds. The scenario, called Horo Ruapehu, is based on a lahar, or volcanic mudflow, from Mount Ruapehu's crater lake. The exercise will be on Wednesday, July 26 and is being run in conjunction with the Army, the Police, and the Taumaranui and Palmerston North offices of Civil Defence. It will involve everyone on and around the Mountain, including guests of The Grand Chateau, who will be asked to assemble in the lounge. Mount Ruapehu last exploded in 1945, fifty years ago, but is still highly active. The crater lake is currently closed to trampers as the lake temperature has risen

dramatically in recent months. Department of Conservation Coordinator Yvonna Chrzanowski says the exercise is similar to one practised in 1992, and that it is a good way for staff of the local hotels, ski field and transport operators to test their preparedness for an emergency. "Everyone in the Whakapapa Village and ski area needs to test their response to a lahar, because if a real one hits there will only be about 20 minutes to get to safety," she says. Civil Defence will be there to count the number of people who 'die' in the path of the mudflow. Yvonna says a quick response is absolutely imperative because of the short amognt of time it would take for a lahar to run down the Mountain. However, the exercise will be fairly brief, taking only 30 minutes to complete.