REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has allowed to return home affected residents of 17 villages which are located outside the five kilometer dangerous zone of erupting Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra.

Head of Information and Data Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement here on Sunday that 17 out of 32 villages were considered by the PVMBG to be less-exposed from the volcano's hazard that enabled their residents to return home.

Although the volcanic activity of Mount Sinabung remains high and still in its top alert status (IV), the intensity of hot cloud potential in the eruption has decreased.

Residents of four villages namely Batu Karang, Rimo Kayu, Cimbang and Ujung Payung will return home in the first stage.

"Adult men or the family heads are recommended to clean their houses first before the rest of the family return home facilitated by the local authority," Nugroho said.

Currently, data of BNPB showed that there are 32,351 villagers (9,991 families) taking refuge in 42 camps.

Meanwhile, residents of the other 15 villages and two hamlets should still take refuge due to being located inside the exclusion dangerous zone.

They are Mardinding, Perbaji, Selandi, Sukameriah, Guru Kinayan, Gamber, Berastepu, Bekerah, Simacem, Sukanalu, Kuta Tonggal, Sigarang-garang, Kuta Rakyat, Kuta Gugung, Kuta Tengah, Sibintun Hamlet, and Lau Kawar Hamlet.

The authority extended the emergency response period until February 15.

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