"Volcanic ash that is flying around from Mount Lokon is dangerous for our health, so masks are very important for the people," Den Pinontoan, a Tomohon resident, said here on Friday.
The existing masks from the government and some mass organizations are not enough for every resident.
Mount Lokon erupted more violently than usual on Thursday evening and caused panic among the local people.
"Can you imagine Mount Lokon has spewed volcanic ash reaching as far as our location in Tanawangko, Minahasa District," John Pangemanan said.
Pangemanan hoped that local people could get the masks as soon as possible because the ash was dangerous and could affect the lungs and respiratory system.
Local residents were also worried that the volcano`s eruption might affect their food supplies.
"The local authorities must take emergency response steps by both protecting human life and making sure that food supplies remain adequate," Pangemanan said.
Head of the North Sulawesi Social Office Recky Tumanduk said local authorities had set up a public kitchen to meet the refugees` need for cooked food.
Masks have also been distributed to the people through the local health office, the Indonesian Red Cross and other organizations.
The Mount Lokon monitoring post reported that there was a critical phase in the evening following 60 in-depth volcanic tremors and 30 shallow volcanic tremors inside the mountain with an amplitude of 0.5-4 mm.
The number of refugees from the eruption of Mount Lokon increased to 4,446 on Friday, following a major eruption on Thursday evening.
Last Saturday (July 9), Mount Lokon erupted three times.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has raised the status of Mount Lokon in North Sulawesi from standby to alert since Sunday night (July 10) due to its increased activity.
(SYS/F001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
