TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - The eruption of Mount Raung left several regions in Banyuwangi regency covered in ash on Thursday, February 4, as reported by the Banyuwangi 0825 Military District Command (Kodim) commander Lt. Col. Yuli Eko Purwanto.

“We have received several reports about ashfall. The public must be aware of this,” said Yuli, calling on the community to always wear face masks and eye protection while doing outdoor activities.

“Other than preventing volcanic ash, [wearing a mask] also prevents oneself from Covid-19 transmission,” he added.

According to the monitoring of the Raung Volcano Observation Post (PGA) and the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), the eruption was still classified in a safe category.

Yuli explained that there had been no volcanic materials released from the crater thus far, meaning that it was safe for the people living at the foot of the mountain.

Based on visual observations, the volcano was sometimes covered in fog. It also emitted white and gray smoke in light to medium intensity with an altitude of 500-1,000 meters from the summit.

Besides, there was a seismic activity with an amplitude of 5-32 mm or dominated by 11 mm amplitude. The volcano status is still at Alert Level II or Waspada.

The PVMBG issued a recommendation that the public, visitors, or tourists are prohibited from doing activities within a radius of 2 kilometers from the peak of Mount Raung. The volcano located in East Java has been erupting since January 21, 2021.

Read: Mount Merapi Eruption; Residents Evacuated in 3 Posts

DAVID PRIYASIDHARTA