Virunga National Park HQ takes a direct lightning strike: Dr Emmanuel de Mérode's internet access cut off

Today morning's entry of the Virunga National Park Headquarters at

Rumangabo was filed by staff member LuAnne Cadd from Goma, where parts

of the personnel have been moved since the intensification of military

activities in the park area.





LuAnn Cadd's post reads in parts:





"As if the park didn't have enough troubles already, one more random

and distressing incident can be added to the list.





"Yesterday afternoon a massive thunder and lightning storm moved over

the park headquarters, and the main office building took a direct

lightning hit – frying internet, electric cables, and Emmanuel's

computer, among many other very expensive pieces of equipment.





"Emmanuel's regular updates on the park will come in a bit slower now

as he will need to dictate them over the phone to me in Goma until

we can get it fixed.





"Losing internet makes those at Rumangabo feel much more isolated, but

thankfully the phones are still working.





"We are trying to see if it's possible to repair the damage today, but

it could be quite extensive and

expensive."





That's a bummer!





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SOURCE: gorillacd.org