Mount Marapi's Eruption Causes Ash Rains Yet Residents Stay Put
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4 December 2023 07:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, led to small stones and ash raining down 14 out of 16 subdistricts of Agam Regency. “We collect the data from each sub-district head,” the Agam Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) secretary, Agam Olkawendri, said on Sunday.
He explained that ash and rockfall occurred in four sub-districts, namely Canduang, Sungai Pua, Ampek Angkek, and Malalak. The other ten sub-districts were only affected by ashfall, namely, Banuhampu, Tilatang Kamang, Baso, Tanjung Raya, Lubuk Basung, Ampek Koto, Matur, Tanjung Mutiara, Palembayan, and Kamang Magek.
“Palupuh and Ampek Nagari sub-districts were not affected by the eruption,” Agam added.
According to him, residents of the four sub-districts closest to Mount Marapi were still staying in their homes following the eruption. However, they are strongly advised to stay indoors and wear face coverings when doing outdoor activities to prevent acute respiratory infections.
He confirmed that 47 people were hiking in the active volcano areas when the sudden eruption occurred. 19 of them had returned, while the others were still in the area. The Agam BPBD is coordinating with the mountain’s observation post, the regional tourism board, and regional authorities for the evacuation. “Hopefully, they will all return safely,” Agam said.
Hendra Gunawan, Head of the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), said the eruption was sudden as the agency had not recorded any significant increase in volcanic activity.
The volcano erupted at 14:54 local time on Sunday, spewing volcanic ash as high as 3,000 meters into the air and spreading to nearby districts.
Mount Marapi has been under a Level II alert, the second-highest alert level, since August 3, 2011. The Geological Agency decided not to raise the alert status after Sunday’s eruption. People, including tourists, are barred from carrying out any activities within three kilometers of the crater.
ANTARA
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