Based on a visual and instrumental monitoring evaluation, the volcano`s status was lowered to alert, Kristianto, the chairman of the Mt Lokon Eruption Emergency Response team, said here on Monday.
"The status decrease from the fourth level to the third level has been decided since Sunday (July 24) at 10 pm local time," Kristianto said.
However, local inhabitants living surrounding the volcano have been told not to do any activities within a radius of three kilometers from the Tompaluan crater.
"Beyond the three kilometers radius, they can do activities but are urged to be always on alert," Kristianto said.
Mount Lokon`s activities had increased since a month ago, prompting the authorities to rise its status to alert on June 27, 2011, and later watchful status on July 10, 2011.
As the volcano had erupted several times, 5,369 residents Kinilow, Kelurahan Kinilow 1 and Kakaskasen 1 villages had been evacuated to several refugee camps.
On Sunday (July 24), the Tomohon authorities returned about 5,000 refugees to their respective homes at Kakaskasen 1, Kinilow and Kinilow 1.
Some 222 refugees remain at City Park refugee camp, because their homes are located in the red zone which is within three kilometer radius from the volcano`s crater. (*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
