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AKARTA: The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) says it is preparing for the worst if Mount Ijen in Bondowoso, East Java, erupts.

“The BNPB will stay alert and keep strengthening existing posts,” BNPB information chief Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Agency chief Syamsul Maarif has instructed BNPB officials at headquarters and the regional level to remain vigilant and anticipate worst-case scenarios, Sutopo said.

“We have to anticipate a possible eruption, although we don’t know whether it will erupt or not,” Sutopo added.

Three villages located near Mt. Ijen — Kali Anyar, Kali Gedang and Sumberejo — would be at the most serious risk if the volcano erupts, the BNPB said.

“Local residents are prohibited visiting locations within a radius of 1.5 kilometers from Ijen’s crater, which stores 30 million cubic meters of water with an acidity level far more dangerous than accu water. People should not panic while remaining alert,” Sutopo said as quoted by Antara.

The BNPB has readied Rp 466 million (US$51,260) of disaster-relief funds to cover the basic daily needs of evacuees for two weeks in the event of an evacuation.