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Volcanic ash unlikely to reach Belarus, expert says

There is a low probability of the ash cloud caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland reaching Belarus, Bahdana Kazyaruk, a departmental chief at the National Center for Radiation Control and Environment Monitoring, told BelaPAN.

"The cloud may reach the Belarusian territory if northwestern wind is observed and there is no rainfall. However, southern winds are currently observed across the country's entire territory," she said.

When reached by BelaPAN on Friday, the administration of the Minsk National Airport said that it was not expected to be affected by the ash cloud and was ready to receive diverted planes. However, the Belavia airline had to cancel flights from Minsk to Berlin, London and Riga on April 16 as the airports in the cities were closed.