‘Beauty But Deadly’ -Gunung Ruang In North Sulawes, Indonesia—erupts
Source : Liputan6
Mount Ruang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi, has erupted and is now on alert status due to increased volcanic activity following a tectonic earthquake that shook Doi Island in North Maluku. The increase in Mount Ruang’s volcanic activity level from Level II (alert) to Level III (vigilant) was recorded since Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Quoting the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) website, Wednesday (17/4/2024), the elevation of the alert level is the result of visual and instrumental monitoring indicating increased volcanic activity of Mount Ruang. According to the BNPB’s Pusdalops report on Mount Ruang, the affected areas of the eruption include Pumpente Village and Pathology Village in Tagulandang District.
Mount Ruang erupted again on Wednesday at 01:30 WIB and volcanic ash rain occurred. Communication networks in Laingpatehi Village were also disrupted.
The eruption of Mount Ruang has caused 272 households or 828 individuals to evacuate. Specifically, 45 individuals are in the Tagulandang District BPU Building and 783 individuals are staying with relatives or family members on the mainland of Tagulandang Island.
Regarding the handling of Mount Ruang’s eruption, the Regent of Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands (Sitaro) declared a State of Emergency for 14 days from April 16 to 29, 2024. The Sitaro District BPBD and the North Sulawesi Provincial BPBD provided assistance in the form of 123 mats, 120 blankets, and 400 masks.
The BPBD also admitted to conducting rapid assessments, evacuations, and preparing evacuation facilities in Tagulandang District. Residents of Pathology Village and Pumpente Village have been evacuated to Tagulandang District. The evacuation process used two ferry units, namely KMP Lokong Banua and KMP Lohoraung, in addition to crossing boats owned by residents.
Local governments have prepared personnel in the field consisting of BPBD, Tagulandang District apparatus, Village apparatus, Urban Village apparatus, Civil Service Police Units, Firefighters, and Health Offices with a total of 30 personnel. On Wednesday, BASARNAS Manado arrived in Tagulandang with KM. BIMASENA with a personnel strength of 20: 15 crew members and five rescuers.
Meanwhile, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded Mount Ruang’s activity level at Level III (Vigilant). Residents around Mount Ruang and tourists are advised to remain vigilant and not enter the 4 km radius from the active crater center of Mount Ruang.
Residents around Mount Ruang are also urged to remain calm, carry on with their activities as usual, and not to be swayed by rumors about Mount Ruang’s eruption.
