Indonesia Intensifies Disaster Preparedness Amid Volcanic Threats At Three Volcanoes

JAKARTA, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has intensified emergency preparedness efforts, focusing on the volcanic activity of Mount Ibu, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, and Mount Merapi as eruptions continue to pose risks to local communities.

BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari reported that Mount Ibu in Ibu sub-district, West Halmahera, North Maluku, erupted again last Saturday but no casualties were reported owing to the heightened awareness of residents and local authorities.

“Residents and visitors are advised to adhere to recommendations from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) and local government authorities,” he said in a statement Monday.

The 1,584-metre-high Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has continued to erupt, with six eruptions recorded between Jan 1 and 7, he said.

“Flames are visible near the summit, indicating lava pushing to the surface, which glows red at night. Lava deposits and materials that could form volcanic mudflows are found in the northwest and northeast areas of the crater,” Abdul Muhari said.

The public and visitors are advised to refrain from any activities within a five-kilometre radius of the eruption centre and in the southwest-northeast sector extending up to six kilometres, he said.

Mount Merapi, located in four administrative regions including Klaten, Magelang, and Boyolali districts in Central Java, as well as Sleman district in Yogyakarta, has remained at Level III since November 2020 due to its high volcanic activity.

“Besides hot lava flows, the current potential hazards include hot clouds and volcanic mudflows in the southwest-south sector, covering the Boyong river up to five kilometres, and the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers up to seven kilometres.

“Volcanic material ejected during explosive eruptions could reach a radius of three-kilometre from the summit,” Abdul Muhari said.

The public has been urged not to engage in any activities in areas of potential danger and to remain cautious of volcanic mudflows and hot cloud flows, especially during rainfall.

-- BERNAMA