Wait at least one to two weeks, if the condition of the volcano is declining and confirmed normal, those who have been evacuated will be returned home.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is continuing to prohibit more than 5 thousand residents of Tagulandang Island, North Sulawesi, who were affected by Mount Ruang's eruptions from leaving evacuation sites.

Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center of the BNPB, Abdul Muhari, said here on Tuesday that the measure has been taken for the sake of residents' safety due to fears of a bigger eruption.

"Wait at least one to two weeks, if the condition of the volcano is declining and confirmed normal, those who have been evacuated will be returned home," he added.

Based on monitoring conducted by the BNPB team, the volcano has become more stable since it is no longer spewing volcanic ash.

In addition, the recommended warning distance for Mount Ruang has been lowered from seven kilometers to five kilometers, in keeping with the decline in volcanic activity in the stratovolcano, Muhari informed.

However, he noted, the fact that the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has kept the status of Mount Ruang at Level 4 or "caution" must be taken into consideration because it means there are still risks of follow-up eruptions.

Though it was earlier targeting to evacuate 9 thousand to 12 thousand residents from Tagulandang Island, the BNPB has decided not to evacuate some residents from the island.

According to Muhari, the decision has been taken because of the smaller warning distance recommendation from the Geological Agency.

Earlier, BNPB head Suharyanto said that all the basic needs of the victims, such as food, health, and security needs, will be met during their stay at the evacuation sites.

As of Sunday (May 5, 2024), as many as 5,849 Tagulandang residents have been evacuated.

"The evacuation sites have public kitchens with staple goods, food, including vegetables and fruits, with sufficient amount during this emergency response period," the BNPB head added.

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Translator: M Riezko, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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