Colombian 'Nevado del Ruiz' volcano remains active

Colombian Caldas department emergency committee reported Saturday that the 'Nevado del Ruiz' volcano tends to currently increase its activity, as the alert level remains at yellow (III). Guido Echeverri Piedrahita, chairman of Caldas emergency committee, said the Volcanic and Seismological Observatory of Manizales only reported an increase of seismic activity in the area. However, he added that the emergency committees in the municipalities of Villamaria, Chinchina and Palestina, the volcano 's influence area, are activated and ready to handle any emergency. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Management has requested the monitoring of the volcano's activity and asked the local communities to stay away from the area and report any unusual situation.