ocal officials must prepare for the evacuation of tourists and locals living around Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra following the recent increase in volcanic activity, the country’s weather agency warned on Friday.
Mount Sinabung, which has been active since September 2013, has started to spew lava and ash clouds that have spread as far as 1,200 kilometers away from the crater, Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) deputy chairman Yunus Swarinoto said on Friday.
“People who live within a 4 to 6 kilometer radius of the mountain have to be evacuated to safe places,” Yunus said in a press statement.
The BMKG also warned people living near rivers to remain alert as the lava might also flow along rivers and spill out in downstream areas.
Seven people died following the eruption of the mountain in May. They were residents of Gamber village in Karo regency located 5 kilometers away from Mount Sinabung's crater. (wnd/rin)
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