"The first eruption produced thick gray clouds that rose to a height of 200 meters and the second one the same material that went up to 600 meters above the Tompaluan crater," Chief of BNPB`s Data and Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told ANTARA News here on the phone Monday.
Winds blew the ashes towards the northwest. The volcano`s condition was not stable and its activity was very intense.
A joint team from BNPB, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the military, police and the regional administration are still conducting emergency response efforts.
"Therefore, the watchful status of Mount Lokon will be maintained for a still undtermined period," he said.
BNPB cannot predict when the status would be ended and the volcano would calm down.
The number of refugees was currently recorded at 4,146 who have been accommodated at several locations.
"We are continuously trying to make sure that the refugees are in good condition and logistics distribution runs smoothly," he said.
The BNPB had distributed emergency tents, blankets, mattresses, and canned food; set up public kitchens; and was keeping mobile medical services on standby.
Mount Lokon has been erupting since Sunday (July 10) prompting thousands of people to evacuate to safer places.
Military personnel and members of the Search and Rescue (SAR) team also helped evacuate people living within a radius of 3.5 km from the mountain.
The refugees were given shelters among others at Tomohon Christian High School (SMA), Binsus Tomohon Christian SMA, Christian 2 Tomohon Vocational High School (SMK) 2, Tomohon Junior High School (SMP) 1, city park, and GMIM 7 Tomohon Elementary School (SD).
(Uu. F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
