Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) – North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has ordered faster evacuations from danger zones around Mount Sinabung after authorities raised the volcano’s alert status from Level II (Watch) to Level III (Alert).
Bobby said protecting lives was the top priority and urged local authorities and regional leaders to ensure residents’ needs were met.
“Protecting lives must come first,” he said on Tuesday after chairing an emergency coordination meeting at the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post in Karo District.
Bobby ordered comprehensive and firm evacuation measures, particularly in red zones, to prepare for a possible increase in Sinabung’s volcanic activity.
The Geological Agency’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) recommended a three-kilometer danger radius and a six-kilometer sectoral zone southeast of Sinabung.
“Intensify outreach to residents in danger zones. If activity increases, issue firm evacuation orders, even if necessary, for their safety,” Bobby said.
Bobby also ordered authorities to quickly maximize support facilities at evacuation centers.
The North Sumatra provincial government will provide logistics, evacuation equipment, and operational support for personnel responding to Sinabung’s eruption.
“Do not provide inadequate facilities. Use the budget properly and ensure evacuation centers are decent and comfortable,” Bobby said.
Armen Putra, head of the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post, said visual and seismic monitoring indicated that magma was moving toward the surface, potentially destabilizing an older lava dome.
“A hotspot was detected last night, indicating lava had reached the surface. Rising internal pressure could break the old lava dome and trigger a major eruption,” Armen said.
Karo District Head Antonius Ginting said the danger zone had expanded to six kilometers, with evacuations focused on Kuta Tengah Village because it is surrounded by red zones.
“We plan to evacuate 140 families, or about 684 people, from Kuta Tengah. More than 260 people had been moved to shelters by Tuesday afternoon,” he said.
To assist residents who still work in their fields during the day, the Karo administration, military, and police deployed shuttle vehicles to support evacuations.
Authorities also prepared vehicles and personnel to evacuate residents of Payung Village, outside the main evacuation zone, if Sinabung’s activity intensifies.
The local government, military, police, and volunteers deployed 843 personnel under the command of the Karo Military District Command 0205 and Karo Police.
Other measures included suspending classes at several schools within the six-kilometer affected zone, including Guru Kinayan Elementary School, Payung Elementary School, Ndeskati Elementary School, and Atap Payung 1 Junior High School.
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Translator: M.Said, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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