Everything at a standstill due to the ash storm

Since Sunday, daily life in the Skaftarhreppur district has come to a standstill because of an enormous ash storm turning day into the blackest of night. There was a heavy storm in the area last night, with roofing sheets and loose material being blown away. There are no reports of accidents to people but some domestic animals have perished in the ash fall from the Grimsvotn volcano.

The eruption in Grimsvotn was relatively constant yesterday. The plume of ash reached an altitude of five to seven kilometres and was swept to the south by strong northerly winds last night. Yesterday, some ash fell all over the country, except in the Westfjord region.

Schools, preschools and workplaces were closed in the worst hit places. Some people with children have fled the area. The Ring Road has been closed since Sunday between Vik and Freysnes because of the ash. Decision will be made today whether the road can be reopened.

Rescue workers were quick to react when roofing sheets started blowing off a new building in Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Rescue workers transported people through the ash storm, and took water, medicines and other necessary items to those who needed them. The ash fall and the darkness that goes with it can have very negative effects on people, says Sigurdur Arnason, District Physician in Kirkjubaejarklaustur. "This is the brightest part of the year, so this total darkness is completely unexpected. If these conditions continue for a long time the problems will increase and become more difficult to deal with."

Arnason says it is an advantage how small the community is and that doctors call people regularly to check how they feel. "We do not control the eruption, but we decide how we react to it and we help those who are vulnerable."

There are examples of animals dying after having been driven into ditches, probably blinded by the ash, says District Veterinarian Gunnar Thorkelsson. "The ash fills the eyes and the animals don't see a thing, just like us."

Tourists have left the worst hit areas. Erna Hauksdottir, director of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, says that despite a difficult situation there are still few cancellations for the next few months, either for the areas around Vatnajokull glacier or elsewhere in the country.

The Keflavik airport reopened last night after more than a 24 hour closure. The airport was very busy after the opening, as almost ten thousand passengers had been delayed because of the closure. The spokesmen for Icelandair and Iceland Express say it will take two days to make up for the delays, provided that the airport stays open.

A few foreign airlines had yesterday postponed flights to and from Scotland, as the ash is predicted to reach Scotland today.