"The volcanic ash is still pouring down at the four villages of Nitanglea, Rokirole, Kesokoja, and Lidi on the volcano`s slope," Hendrasto, head of the volcano observation section at the Volcanic and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) in Bandung said on Monday.
Volcanic ash forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes on Sunday, he said.
He asked residents living on the volcano`s slope to take refuge at nearby villages free from volcanic ash.
"Residents living on the volcano`s slope should take refuge to places located two to three kilometers away from the crater," head of the Sikka district disaster mitigation body (BPBD) Silvanus Tibo said.
Tibo said the body will soon distribute masks among thousands of people living around the volcano in Palue island.
There are four villages located near the volcano. They are Nitunglea, with a population of 1,590, Rokirole 1,553, Kesokoja 1,305, and Lidi 1,433.
According to Hendrasto, the volcano began to show signs of increased tremor activities on October 1.
Based on seismograph record, between October 1 and 5 the volcano saw 31 volcanic tremors A, 21 volcanic tremors B, 15 local tectonic tremors and 7 remote tectonic tremors.
Therefore, the PVMBG has declared Mount Rokatenda to be on Siaga (the second highest alert status) since last Saturday at 05.00 p.m., he said. (S012/YH)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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