Mount Sinabung in Karo regency, North Sumatra, erupted again. Volcanic ash from the eruption spread to Stabat, the capital of Langkat regency, North Sumatra, about 80 kilometers northeast of Sinabung.
By
NIKSON SINAGA
·3 minutes read
POS PENGAMATAN GUNUNG API SINABUNG
Screenshot of Mount Sinabung in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, erupting on Saturday (24/4/2021).
KABANJAHE, KOMPAS — Mount Sinabung in Karo regency, North Sumatra, erupted again. Volcanic ash from the eruption spread to Medan and Langkat regency, North Sumatra, about 80 kilometers northeast of Sinabung.
Meanwhile in Karo, the eruption caused the gravel and sand that was spewed by Mount Sinabung to pile up on the roads, as well as on the roofs of houses. Officers are now focusing on clearing the roads from piles of eruption materials.
“Community activities were disrupted due to exposure to the volcanic ash. Currently, we are cleaning the roads from piles of ash, gravel and sand, as well as busy places," said the acting head of the Karo Regency Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency, Natanael Warinangin, who was contacted in Kabanjahe, Karo, Monday (7/6/2021).
Mount Sinabung erupted on Sunday (6/6/2021) at 11:50 p.m., but the height of the ash column could not be observed because it was covered in fog. The wind was predicted to blow to the north and northeast. The greatest impact of ash exposure was felt in the villages of Kuta Rayat, Kuta Gugung, Kuta Mbelin, and Sigarang-Garang.
Nathanael said, since Monday morning, joint officers began to clean up the impact of the volcanic ash. They deployed a number of fire engines and water cannon tactical vehicles belonging to the Karo Resort Police (Polres). The officers also sprayed water on the roads to clear them of volcanic ash piles.
Piles of ash on the roads were vastly affecting community activities. When a vehicle passed, the ash flew. Ash, sand, and gravel also piled up on the roofs of residents\' houses.
“Residents immediately cleaned the roofs of their houses. If it rains, the piles of ash can turn into mud and make the roofs collapse,” said Nathanael.
BPBD KABUPATEN KARO
Officers and the public clean up a pile of ash from the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Naman Teran District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Wednesday (19/5/2021). Sinabung erupted 3,500 meters away and sent ash rain as far as 80 kilometers.
Reminding the residents
An officer of the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post, Armen Putra, said that volcanic activity was declared to be on Alert status (level III). Sinabung has erupted several times by releasing hot ash and clouds. Sinabung seismic activity is also still high.
"We always ask residents not to enter the red zone of the Sinabung eruption. Big eruptions and hot clouds avalanche can occur at any time," said Armen.
Armen reminded, the red zone of Sinabung is a radius of 3 kilometers from the peak. However, for the south-east sector it is within a radius of 5 kilometers from the peak and the east-north sector within a radius of 4 kilometers. All entrances to the red zone have been marked with no-entry warning signs.
Armen also urged the public to always wear masks to reduce the impact of volcanic ash on health. The community is also asked to safeguard clean water sources so they are not exposed to volcanic ash.
We always ask residents not to enter the red zone of the Sinabung eruption.
Spreading to a far distance
Volcanic ash from the Sinabung eruption also spread to Medan city, Binjai city, and Langkat regency. The greatest impact was in the vicinity of Stabat, the capital of Langkat regency.
Thin ash was seen covering almost all of the parked vehicles. However, exposure to Sinabung ash did not disrupt community activities. "Thin ash was also clearly visible on the roofs of houses and the leaves of plants in the yard," said Deni Pengestu, 24, a resident of Langkat.
In Medan, exposure to volcanic ash also occurred around Jalan Jamin Ginting, Jalan Setia Budi, and the Padang Bulan area. Light ash was visible on vehicles parked outside the houses on Monday morning.
