TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, continues to spew ash clouds, which impacts the eastern, southeastern, and southern parts of the volcano - effectively destroying the local agricultural industry.
"The eruption material has effectively shut down the local economy - which is highly dependent on agriculture and farming," said the Head of Information and Public Relations for BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in Jakarta on Monday, June 29, 2015.
Sutopo explained that 46,935 hectares of arable land have been destroyed since the volcano began showing signs of increased activities. 1,701 hectares of chili crops and 1,177 hectares of oranges crops have been destroyed as a result - it is known that both crops are among the most planted crop across the slopes of Mount Sinabung.
"Harvest have failed because the crops have been heavily damaged," said Sutopo, who said that the government needs to step up its' efforts to rehabilitate the area and mitigate the damage resulting from the eruption.
"All stakeholders need to play a part to help minimize the damage caused by the eruption," said Sutopo.
Sutopo explained that on Sunday, the volcano spewed ash clouds 116 times, 14 volcanic earthquakes were recorded, while hot ash clouds streamed down the slopes three times. "The volcano meets all of the parameters required for it to be labelled as a highly active volcano - both measured by the degree of seismic activity, and visually," Sutopo said.
Currently, the volcano has displaced 10,645 individuals - which includes 780 elderly, 76 pregnant woman, and 747 infants.
ANTARANEWS
