One Catastrophic Reminder
The recent crisis in Guatemala reminded me of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in the early 90s. Prior to the eruption, there were already predictions of the catastrophe (after being slumber for 500 years) so the areas near it were evacuated before the start of the eruption occurred, exactly 27 years ago this month. Its impact, however, did not spare us as the days and years passed by. On the day it erupted, I witnessed it despite being hundred miles away. I was on-duty at a rural hospital. Our place was blanketed with dark clouds. What we thought was only a heavy downpour of rain turned out to be mixed with sulphur dioxide ashes spewed out. It was very dark even though it was supposed to be daytime. Confusion over the evening-like climate crept in. Someone even asked, "Is it doomsday?!". The following day, we found out of the massive extent of Mt. Pinatubo's eruption and that there were towns, villages (and people) buried. It was very sad. There were people, especially ...