"If conditions are worsening, I will visit the region. But right now I am coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency and the local authorities concerning developments in north Sulawesi," Agung Laksono told the press here on Wednesday.
Agung said he was informed by the local authorities that refugees from the volcanic eruption were in good condition.
"Everything is reported to be going well, and most of the local people have been evacuated to Tomohon," he said.
The central government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), has sent Rp300 million to the local Regional Disaster Management Office (BPBD) as emergency relief funds.
"The funds can be spent to meet the refugees` needs during the emergency," the minister said.
Air traffic in North Sulawesi had remained normal because visibility at and around Sam Ratulang airport was not affected by volcanic ash.
Agung , however, urged local people to stay alert as the volcano`s activity was increasing.
Head of the BNPB`s Data and Information center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said around 124 families or 489 people, including 56 babies, had been evacuated to safer places.
The BNPB had coordinated with concerned ministries, institutions, local disaster management offices, the military and police to deal with the volcanic eruption.
The BNPB had raised the status of Mount Lokon in North Sulawesi from standby to alert since Sunday night (July 10) due to its increased activity.
"In connection with the raising of Mount Lokon`s status, we order the local people to evacuate to safer places," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said earlier.
He said that the people were also asked to watch out for possible lava flows through rivers that flow down Mt Lokon slopes.
Local people as well tourists were warned not to approach or carry out any activity within a radius of 3.5 km from the mountain`s crater.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
