Residents Of Bukit Tinggi Cough Due To Volcanic Ash Rain Of Mount Marapi

JAKARTA - The city of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra (West Sumatra) and its surroundings was showered with volcanic ash that erupted again in the early hours of Sunday, February 18. In addition to the eruption, the mountain is on alert status, it has also continued to experience gusts until now. "The ash rain has occurred since evening, but the thickness has only been seen in the morning before noon. The view is disturbed, it even results in cough," said a resident of Bukittinggi Farid (35), ANTARA, Sunday, February 18. The ash rain is more pronounced for residents on the slopes of Mount Marapi who can only pray that the 2,891 mdpl mountain will return to normal. "In Bukit Bata, the ashfall is more concentrated. The thickness is more severe than felt in Bukittinggi City, at this time we can only pray," said Wali Nagari or the Head of Bukit Batabuah Village, Agam Firdaus Regency. From observations in Ampek Angkek, Canduang and Sungai Pua Districts, which are the closest areas of Marapi craters, residents wear many masks and clean their yards and vehicles from the ashes.

"If there is ash rain, the public is advised to use a mask covering the nose and mouth to avoid infection with the upper respiratory tract (Ispa)," said Marapi Volcano Observer Officer (PGA) Ahmad Rifandi. "In addition, it also secures clean water facilities and cleans the roof of the house from thick volcanic ash so it doesn't collapse," said Ahmad. Until Sunday, PGA recorded 169 eruptions of Mount Marapi with volcanic ash gusts from the summit reaching 1,315 times.