BPBD: Beware Of Volcanic Material Floods Of Mount Karangetang Eruption

The rain that flushed the Siau Archipelago Regency, Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) on Monday, June 19, 2023 at around 15.30 WITA/ANTARA

MANADO - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Sulawesi Sitaro Islands Regency appealed to residents of two urban villages, namely Bebali and Taroane in East Siau District, to be aware of the threat of floods of volcanic material eruptions from Mount Karangetang. "This is the impact of the rainfall that has flushed Siau Island in recent days," said Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of BPBD Sitaro, Sonny Belseran in Manado, Antara, Friday, June 23. Kali Batuawang which originates at the top of Mount Karangetang crosses Bebali Village, while Taroane Village is crossed by Kali Kahetang. He hopes that residents live or use roads that cross the river to remain vigilant, especially when it rains with heavy intensity because it will carry volcanic material originating from the crater peak. He gave an example, the rain that flushed on Monday, June 19 at around 15.30 WITA caused a cold lava flood carrying volcanic material in Batuawang River, Bebali Village, East Siau District. The flow of water carrying sand, mud and rocks from the eruption of Mount Karangetang caused the access road of Ulu Siau, East Siau District to - Ondong, West Siau District to be cut off. The route that crosses the Batuawang river can finally be passed after volcanic material is cleaned by the district government and other related ranks.

"Until now, we have not evacuated any residents. We continue to hope that residents remain alert to the potential for hot clouds of avalanches and floods of volcanic material during heavy rains," he said.