Mount Marapi Status Rises Alert, Regent Asks Sub-District Heads In Tanah Datar To Anticipate Things Beyond Allegations

Illustration. Mount Marapi emits volcanic ash visible from Nagari Bukik Batabuah, Agam, West Sumatra, Monday, January 8, 2024 night. (ANTARA PHOTO-Iggoy el Fitra)

The Regent of Tanah Datar Eka Putra asked the wali nagari and the head of the sub-district (camat) in his area to anticipate things beyond expectations considering that the status of Mount Marapi rose from Level II Alert to Level III Alert.

Eka conveyed that the area with a radius of 4.5 km from the top of the mountain in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) has a high potential for danger. He appealed to the public not to move within that radius. "We have conveyed to the wali nagari and sub-district head around Mount Marapi to remind residents not to carry out activities at a radius of 4.5 km from Mount Marapi and immediately prepare anticipation for things that are beyond expectations," he said in Batusangkar, Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, Wednesday, January 10, confiscated by Antara.

The increase in status based on the report of the Geological Agency, Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) also has the potential to have an impact on people living on the banks of rivers upstream from Mount Marapi.

Eka also appealed to always be aware of the potential threat of cold lava that may occur, especially during the rainy season. "Currently, the rainfall is still high because it has the potential for flooding or cold lava flash floods from rivers that originate at Mount Marapi. Stay alert," he said.

Furthermore, Eka instructed the sub-district heads and wali nagari as well as all regional apparatus in Tanah Datar to work together, be united, and review the worst conditions, as well as plans for the contingency of the Mount Marapi disaster. "I ask all mosque imams, da'i, and ulama to always guide our prayers so that we avoid the danger of the eruption of Mount Marapi," he said. Tanah Datar Regency is one of the areas in West Sumatra where part of the region is at the foot of Mount Marapi. Previously, PVMBG Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that the status of Mount Marapi rose from Level II Alert to Level III Alert) as of January 9, 2024 at 18.00 WIB.