Ruang Volcano Eruption; Govt Continues Evacuation Efforts for Over 9,000 Residents

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government continues the evacuation efforts for 9,083 residents on Tagulandang Island within a 7-kilometer radius of the eruption center of Ruang Volcano, Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi. As of yesterday, Thursday, May 2, 2024, as many as 3,364 locals had been evacuated from Tagulandang Island.

Meanwhile, the government tries to evacuate the remaining 5,719 residents in stages. "There are at least 9,000 residents within a 7-kilometer radius who must be evacuated as soon as possible," said the Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto in a written statement yesterday.

According to Suharyanto, the area within a 7-kilometer radius of the Ruang Volcano crater had been designated a hazard zone. The evacuation process is carried out using several fleets of ships, such as KM Glory Mery, KRI Kakap-811, KM Marina Bay, KM Lohoraung, KPL Basarnas, KM Lokongbanua, KM Barcelona Lii, and KM Beacukai.

"Hopefully the evacuation process can be completed within three days," he said.

The government has prepared temporary shelters for affected residents at several points such as the Tumou Tou Manado Center, the Center at Paal 4 UPT Ministry of Social Affairs, Malalayang Health Center, BLK Bitung, Siau Island, and several other areas for independent evacuation.

The head of PVMBG, Hendra Gunawan, said that the stratovolcano has been prone to emitting hot clouds and erupting throughout history.  "It turns out that historically Mount Ruang is very prone to emitting hot clouds. So it is indeed a hazardous area," he said.

According to records, the eruption of Ruang Volcano occurred in 1808, 1810, 1840, 1856, 1870, 1871, 1874, 1889, 1904-1905, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1940, 1946, 1949, 2002, and 2024. Hendra explained that the eruption in 1871 also triggered a tsunami wave and claimed the lives of up to 400 people.

Thus, the government will take permanent steps to move residential areas to safer locations, especially those on Ruang Island. Suharyanto also said that BNPB would help with the relocation process. This matter will soon be discussed at a ministerial-level meeting.

According to him, 301 families from two villages at the foot of Mount Ruang are prioritized for relocation. Suharyanto also asked the Sitaro Islands Regency Government and North Sulawesi Provincial Government to prepare and designate safe and conducive substitute land for the people to reside.

Responding to this, the Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey, claimed that the land for affected residents from Ruang Island had been prepared in the South Bolaang Mongondow Regency.

DEFARA DHANYA PARAMITHA

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