Extreme Weather, Starting January 24, Hiking Trails To Mount Tambora NTB Closed

Illustration-Panorama of the caldera of Mount Tambora in Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. (AMONG)

SUMBAWA - The hiking trail for Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province will be closed from January 24, 2022 due to extreme weather.

Head of the Mount Tambora National Park Office, Yunaidi, said that according to weather forecast information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Bima and Dompu regions are likely to experience heavy rains of long duration accompanied by lightning and hail.

"Taking into account the weather conditions, all hiking trails in Tambora National Park will be temporarily closed starting January 24, 2022 for an undetermined time limit," Yunaidi explained when contacted from Mataram, Antara, Thursday, January 20.

He explained that there are four climbing routes to Mount Tambora, namely the Doro Ncanga and Pancasila trails in Dompu Regency and the Piong and Kawinda Toi trails in Bima Regency.

"Officers will remain alert at their respective resorts, especially at all entrances to the climbing route to carry out surveillance. Do not let any climbers dare to climb," said Yunaidi.

Although the hiking trails are closed, he explained, tourist attractions in the Mount Tambora National Park area are still open to the public. Residents can still travel to the national park area by implementing health protocols.