Mount Sinabung Erupts Again, Over 600 Residents Evacuated In North Sumatra

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Mount Sinabung in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province erupted again on Wednesday morning, as more than 600 residents have been evacuated amid increased volcanic activity.

According to the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) the eruption began at 7.20 am local time, with an ash column rising about 1,000 metres above the summit, or about 3,460 metres above sea level.

“The ash column was observed to be grey to brown and thick, moving towards the east and southeast. At the time this report was prepared, the eruption was still ongoing,” it said in a report.

Sinabung’s activity level was raised from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Standby) at 12.30 pm on Monday after visual and instrumental monitoring showed increased volcanic activity.

The upgrade followed an eruption earlier that day that sent an ash column about 3.5 kilometres above the summit, or about 5.96 kilometres above sea level, with authorities warning that further increases in volcanic activity were possible.

Amid the heightened activity, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said on Wednesday that 615 residents from 211 families in Kuta Tengah had been moved to an emergency response post, with the village among areas identified as being at risk.

BNPB Acting Head of Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre Berton Panjaitan said the danger zone had been expanded based on recommendations from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, following the increase in Sinabung’s volcanic activity.

“Residents and visitors are not permitted to carry out activities in relocated villages, within a three-kilometre radius of the summit, as well as within a sectoral radius of up to six kilometres towards the southeast,” he said in a statement.

The situation also prompted the Consulate General of Malaysia in Medan on Tuesday to urge Malaysians in or heading to Karo Regency to remain vigilant, avoid areas surrounding Mount Sinabung and follow instructions from Indonesian authorities.

-- BERNAMA