The latest string of eruptions occurred on Monday, with Mt. Sinabung spewing a 5,000-meter-high column of volcanic ash and smoke from the peak of the mountain at 10:16 a.m., followed by a second eruption at 11:17 a.m. that produced a 2,000-m-high column of ash, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

A PVMBG official of the Sinabung observation post, Armen Putera, told The Jakarta Post that the volcanic ash from Monday's eruption had covered at least three districts in Karo and turned the sky dark, especially in Namanteran district, which is located 5.2 kilometers from the mountain.

More eruptions are likely to ensue in the following days, given the recent increase in frequency of tectonic earthquakes that rattled the volcano, he said.

"We have recorded increased tectonic earthquakes in Mt. Sinabung over the past 12 hours. These are signs of eruptions," Armen said, "We have to increase our vigilance and avoid the danger zone of Mt. Sinabung."

At least three districts – Namanteran, Merdeka and Berastagi – had been directly affected by Monday's eruptions and covered by volcanic ash, according to the Karo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

"Residents have been forced to halt their activities because the ash is thick, [the afternoon] sky is similar to a night sky because it is covered in ash," BPBD Karo acting chairperson Natanael Perangin-angin told the Post.

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