REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has announced that Mount Sinabung in the Karo district of North Sumatra has erupted again on Wednesday, at 1:43 pm local time.

"We received a report from the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) that the eruption was accompanied by avalanches of hot clouds of ash gliding up to two kilometers from the summit and heading to the southeast," BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho stated in his short message received on Wednesday.

Nugroho remarked that the eruption lasted for about 907 seconds.

"The eruption was not visible as it was covered by clouds. According to the data received from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm local time, 44 low-frequency quakes, 11 hybrid earthquakes, constant tremors, and 32 avalanche earthquakes took place," Sutopo reported.

"Mount Sinabung's current status is still on alert (level III). The seismic activity is still high, and the formation of an incandescent lava dome is still potentially high," Nugroho stated.

However, the latest eruption has not lead to an increase in the number of refugees, which currently stands at 4,729 displaced people (1,440 households) scattered across 17 shelters.

"A total of 17,506 people (5,020 households) from 21 local villages have been repatriated to their homes until today," Nugroho noted.

As many as 6,179 Mount Sinabung's refugees or 2,053 households are living in temporary shelters. The refugees are living in rented houses or on leased farmland provided by the government. Nugroho revealed that the relocation plan to rehabilitate the villagers of Sukameriah, Bekerah, and Simacem is still ongoing.

"Karo Regents and the Governor of North Sumatra are still preparing the land for relocation in Siosar's permanent production forest areas in Merek sub-district, Karo district," he added.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika