JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is evacuating 9,083 residents from Tagulandang Island, near Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi which is erupting, to safer areas.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) head Lt Gen Suharyanto said 3,364 residents have already been relocated, while the remaining 5,719 are currently being evacuated in stages.
“This evacuation process is taking place in stages from April 30 to May 2 and is expected to be completed within the next three days,” said Suharyanto in a statement on Friday.
Tagulandang Island is adjacent to Ruang Island, where Mount Ruang stands alone as a separate island within the Sitaro district.
Suharyanto said the residents were transported by ships provided by various private and government agencies including the military, customs, and rescue agencies.
About five temporary shelters have been set up on nearby islands like Manado and Siau, he said.
The evacuation exercise for Tagulandang Island followed the advice of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) in response to the identification of a risky zone within a seven-kilometre radius of the Mount Ruang crater.
PVMBG head Hendra Gunawan pointed out that stratovolcanoes historically emit hot clouds and undergo frequent eruptions, directly impacting human life and livelihoods.
Records showed eruptions of the 725-metre-high Mount Ruang dating back to 1808, with notable occurrences in 1871, which triggered a tsunami wave claiming up to 400 lives, he added.
Suharyanto said the government also intends to move residential areas permanently especially those on Ruang Island.
