The Fall Of Mount Ruang Volcanic Ash Has Not Been Reduced, Sam Ratulangi Airport Is Still Closed

Sam Ratulangi Airport (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Agency for Regional Disaster Management (BNPB) monitors volcanic ash that is still disrupting the airspace around Mount Ruang, Siau Islands Regency, Tagulandang Biaro, North Sulawesi today.

To this day, airport authorities are still closing the operations of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado City, which is about a kilometer from Mount Ruangan for the time being.

"BNPB monitors the airport closure to be extended to this day, Friday, 06.00 a.m. local time," said Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Friday, April 19.

Based on the dashboard of the volcano monitoring information system, continued Abdul Muhari, Mount Ruang was clearly visible until it was covered in fog today. You can see white main crater smoke with moderate to high intensity of about 50-100 meters from the top of the mountain. Cloudy weather and weak winds to the south.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), has set the status of Mount Ruang volcanic activity at the highest level or IV (Awas) on April 17, 2024, at 21.00 WITA.

Meanwhile, the distribution of volcanic ash from Mount Ruang was observed to North Minahasa Regency on Thursday, April 18. A number of sub-districts were affected by volcanic ash, including West Likupang, Wori, East Likupang and South Likupang Districts.

"The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of North Minahasa Regency appealed to residents to wear masks and remain calm, especially in responding to hoax information," he said.

The local government of the Siau Islands Islands Regency, Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro), he said, had also activated the command post in Apengsala Village. Des aini is 15 km from Mount Ruang.

"After the explosive eruption, the electricity and communication network was paralyzed in Laing Patehi Village, which is located on Ruang Island. Meanwhile, in Lumbo Village on Tamulandang Island, the communication network condition did not function optimally," said Abdul Muhari.

The refugees that have been recorded by BPBD are 272 families or 838 people on Tagulandang Island. Those from Laingpatehi Village amounted to 166 families (506 people) and Pumpente Village 106 families (332 people).

Meanwhile, the evacuation of residents was also carried out on the people on the island of Tagulandang, especially on the west side who faced Ruang Island.

"Registered data collection is still being carried out by local governments, with temporary data totaling 6,045 people. They come from Bahoi Village and Balehumara Village," he concluded.