TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Social Affairs Ministry recorded that 59,820 people have evacuated away from Mount Agung in Karangasem, Bali. Residents flee to areas considered safer, to anticipate possibilities of a volcanic eruption.
Since Friday, September 22, Mount Agung's status has been raised to 'alert'. The disaster area perimeter has been extended to nine kilometers, and the Energy and Mineral Resources Geological Agency has requested to keep nearby areas vacant.
Read: Bali Safe for Tourist Despite Mount Agung`s Increased Actvity
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Data and Information Center chief Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that Mount Agung is still on 'alert' level. However, he reminded that, each day, that status is nearing the 'critical' phase.
"It means the activity is always high. All observations indicate that the magma is going up," Sutopo on Monday, September 25.
The magma rise will cause volcanic earthquakes because the volcanic rocks in the crater are blocking the magma.
The Social Affairs Ministry is working with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Provincial Government of Bali, and the local social office to provide assistance to the evacuees.
ANTARA | DIAS PRASONGKO