"The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) and the local government keep monitoring the condition of Mt Soputan because it may show signs of increased activity," Head of the North Sulawesi Provincial Natural Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD) Hoyke Makarawung said here on Sunday.
Mt Soputan is one of the active volcanoes in North Sulawesi province. Almost every year the 1,784-meter high volcano erupts and spews hot clouds.
According to data from the volcano`s monitoring post at Maliku village, Mt Soputan erupted at around 06.00 a.m. on Sunday, sending ash up to 5,000 meters into the sky.
He said the local authorities had ordered the people living on the volcano`s slope to keep watch for the eruption and to stay away at least 6 km from the crater.
"Right now the local residents are still staying at their respective homes. However, they continue to become the center of the local government`s attention particularly in case of more dangerous effect," he said.
(Uu.S012/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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