PVMBG Raises Mount Karangetang Status To Level III Alert

The status of Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi rose from level II alert to level III alert. BETWEEN/HO-PVMBG (1)

MANADO - Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has raised the status of Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi from level II alert to level III alert.

"Based on the results of visual and instrumental observations, as well as based on the evaluation results, the level of volcanic activity of Mount Karangetang has been raised from level II to alert level III," said Head of PVMBG, Hendra Gunawan, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 19.

The increase in status starts on May 19, 2023 at 10.00 WITA.

At the level of alert activity, the community, visitors, tourists and climbers are not allowed to move and approach the area within a radius of 2.5 kilometers from the main crater (south) and crater II (north), as well as 3.5 kilometers in the southwest and southeast sectors.

People around the mountain are advised to prepare a mask covering the nose and mouth, anticipating the dangers of respiratory tract disorders in the event of ash rain.

Intensive monitoring, he said, was still carried out to evaluate the activities of Mount Karangetang by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.

People living around the riverbanks that originate from the peak of Mount Karangetang are expected to increase preparedness from the potential threat of rain lava and flash floods.

"The public is expected to remain calm and always follow directions from the BPBD of North Sulawesi Province and the BPBD of Sitaro Regency," he said.

The local government, he continued, always coordinates with the Karangetang PGA Post in Salili Village, Central Siau District, Sitaro Islands Regency or PVMBG.

PVMBG juga mengimbau, masyarakat maupun BNPB, BPBD Provinsi Sulawesi Utara, BPBD Kabupaten Siataro, dan instansi terkait lainnya dapat memantau perkembangan tingkat aktivitas maupun rekomendasi Gunung Karangetang setiap saat melalui aplikasi MAGMA Indonesia.

PVMBG previously lowered the status of Mount Karangetang from standby to alert on April 26, 2023 at 16.00 WITA.