Jakarta, IO – Mount Marapi’s volcanic activity has continued in the past two weeks and yesterday at 6pm WIB its status has been raised to second-highest level (Level III).
As a result, as many as 24 households comprising 68 residents of Tanah Datar, West Sumatra have had to be evacuated to safer places outside the 4.5-kilometer radius per the advice of the Center for Volcanology, Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), Kompas reported on Friday (12/1).
Tanah Datar regent Eka Putra said the local government has been providing temporary assistance to the evacuees in the form of 100 kg of rice, 15 boxes of instant noodles, 20 liters of cooking oil and 14 cartons of eggs. “We have sent aid through the Social Service agency,” said Eka.
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Volcano ash spewing from Mount Marapi has shut down airport and blanketed nearby communities since December 3, 2023, said PVMBG head Ahmad Basuki.
The alert level was issued because the eruption has turned magmatic, where incandescent lava is being released. Thus, further precautionary measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the local residents. (bp)