Mount Marapi Rises Status, West Sumatra Governor Has Held Coordination On Anticipation Of Impacts

The eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra on Sunday, December 3, 2023. (West Sumatra). (Between)

SUMBAR - The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of West Sumatra (West Sumatra) has coordinated with relevant stakeholders to respond to the increase in the status of Mount Marapi to Level III Alert since yesterday Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

"Last night I received a letter from the West Sumatra BPBD regarding the condition of Mount Marapi, which was previously Level II Alert to Level III Alert. We immediately coordinated steps to anticipate the impact that might be caused," said West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi in Sarilamak, West Sumatra, Wednesday, January 10, quoted by Antara.

According to him, currently the local government (Pemda) around Mount Marapi has given an appeal to the public, especially those at a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the top of the mountain to be vigilant.

He assessed that the steps taken by the regional head were appropriate to minimize the potential for casualties or injuries if a major eruption occurred.

"We cannot predict whether an eruption will occur or not. But now that the level is on standby, anticipatory steps must be taken immediately. What is done by regional heads, such as Agam Regency and Tanah Datar, should be appreciated," he said.

His party has also ordered the Head of West Sumatra BPBD to directly inspect several posts established in the area around the legs and waist of Mount Marapi.

"After distributing aid in Limapuluh Kota, we went directly to the Mount Marapi disaster response post. We will coordinate in the field to see what the province can help," said Mahyeldi.

Meanwhile, West Sumatra BPBD Chief Executive Rudy Rinaldy said his party together with Danrem 032/WB were at the Mount Marapi eruption response post in Batu Palano, Sungai Pua District, Agam Regency.

His party will coordinate with all parties at the location, including the Agam Regency Government, to take anticipatory steps if an eruption occurs.

The head of the Emergency Response Team for the Eruption of Mount Marapi from the Center for Volcanology for Disaster and Geological Mitigation (PVMBG) Kristianto said the threat of danger of Mount Marapi after its status rose to the Alert level, including the ejection of incandescent materials.

In addition, the threat of lava flows must also be watched out for, especially rivers that originate at Mount Marapi, because it is currently in the middle of the rainy season. Since the eruption of Mount Marapi on December 3, 2023, it is estimated that material buildup upstream of the river has the potential to be released into cold lava floods.

Previously, PVMBG reported that the status of Mount Marapi rose from Level II Alert to Level III Alert starting January 9, 2024 at 18.00 WIB.