West Halmahera Regency Government Evacuates Residents From Six Villages Due To Mount Ibu Eruption

TERNATE - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of West Halmahera, North Maluku, on Wednesday night, evacuated residents from six villages in Tabaru District as an anticipatory measure against the threat of volcanic ash and incandescent lava caused by the eruption of Mount Ibu.

Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the West Halmahera Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Irfan Idrus, explained that the evacuation was carried out after the status of Mount Ibu was raised from Level III Alert to Level IV Alert.

"Residents from six villages in West Halmahera Regency must be evacuated to avoid potential hazards due to an eruption accompanied by incandescent lava," said Irfan on Thursday, January 16, quoted from ANTARA.

The evacuation began on Wednesday night, with the help of the TNI and Polri. The first villages that were evacuated were Sangaji Nyeku Village, followed by five other villages, namely Tuguis Village, Togoreba Sungi Village, Borona Village, Soa Sangaji Village, and Todoku Village.

"The six villages are in disaster-prone areas because they are located at the foot of Mount Ibu. Therefore, they must immediately be moved to a safer location," said Irfan. The West Halmahera Regency Government has prepared two safe evacuation locations, namely at the Tongute Sungi Village church and Akesibu Village, which can accommodate around 3,000 people.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) officially raised the status of Mount Ibu on Wednesday morning, after an eruption of 4,000 meters high at 07.11 WIT.

PVMBG also appealed to the public and tourists around Mount Ibu not to approach the area, especially within a five-kilometer and sectoral radius of six kilometers from the direction of the crater opening.

In addition, in the event of ash rain, people who are outside the house are advised to wear masks and glasses to protect themselves from exposure to volcanic ash. People outside a five-kilometer radius are also asked to remain vigilant and follow directions from local governments.

Residents living around Mount Ibu are also reminded to be aware of the potential for lava in rivers that originate at the top of the mountain as high as 1,325 meters above sea level, especially if heavy rains occur at the top.