Sam Ratulangi Airport Still Closed until Monday, Hundreds of Flights Delayed

More than 100 flights at Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado, were postponed due to the eruption of Mount Ruang.

DOKUMENTASI KEMENTERIAN PERHUBUNGAN

The situation at Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, which temporarily closed due to the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi on Thursday (18/4/2024). As a result, several flights from several airlines were cancelled.

MAKASSAR, KOMPAS — As a result of the eruption of Mount Ruang in the Siau Islands Regency Tagulandang Biaro or Sitaro, North Sulawesi, flight activities at Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado, are still closed until Monday (22/4/ 2024). This condition has caused hundreds of flights to be postponed over the past few days.

The decision to close is stated in the document Notice to Airmen (Notam) A1041/24 NOTAMR A1021/24. The closure was carried out based on observations of the volcanic ash activity of Mount Ruang.

The closure of flight activities at Sam Ratulangi Airport has been implemented since Wednesday (17/4/2024) following the first eruption of Mount Ruang on Tuesday (16/4/2024) night.

"In order to maintain the aspect of flight safety and security, the Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado will be temporarily closed until Monday, April 22. This means that all flights will be postponed until tomorrow," said Yanti Pramono from Sam Ratulangi Airport's public relations office on Sunday (21/4/2024)."

Also read: Mountain Space Still Erupting, Flights to Manado Paralyzed

DOKUMENTASI BASARNAS MANADO

Photo of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, which experienced an eruption on Friday (19/4/2024).

Yanti explained that until this Sunday, more than 100 flights to and from Sam Ratulangi Airport have been delayed. "Developments tomorrow will be reviewed to see if flights can be resumed or if closures will be extended," she said.

As of Sunday, Mount Raung was reported to still be erupting. Based on temporary data from the Sitaro Regency Government, there are 15 villages affected by the volcanic eruption. The number of affected residents has reached thousands of people.

Also read: Mount Ruang eruption, Sam Ratulangi Airport temporarily closed

Based on data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sitaro, some residents were evacuated to safe places in the Tagulandang area. As for the others, they carried out self-evacuation and secured themselves in the homes of safe family and relatives or outside the dangerous radius.

In Tagulandang, the joint SAR team continues to evacuate residents to safe locations. "In addition, we are also distributing aid to residents and refugees," said the Daily Duty Chief of the National Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) Manado Office, Rio M Kereh.

DOKUMENTASI BASARNAS MANADO

The condition of Tagulandang Island, Kepulauan Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi, recorded on Friday (4/19/2014). Thousands of residents evacuated and secured themselves independently due to the eruption of Mount Ruang.

Previously, Head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) Hendra Gunawan stated that Mount Ruang experienced another eruption on Saturday (20/4/2024) at 12:15 WIT. Based on observations, the height of the eruption's ash column reached 250 meters above the peak.

"The column of ash was observed to be grey in color with a thick intensity leaning towards the south. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 3 millimeters and a duration of approximately 5 minutes and 6 seconds," said Hendra.

Also read: Affected by Space Eruption, Area Around Sitaro Asked to Set Alert Status

To maintain the safety and security aspect of flights, the Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado will be temporarily closed until Monday, April 22.

Hendra stated that Gunung Ruang is still categorized as Alert (Level IV). Therefore, the community is not allowed to enter within a 6 kilometer radius from the peak.

Previously, the monitoring device for Mount Ruang's activity had stopped operating on Wednesday (17/4/2024) at 20.39 Wita. At that time, continuous eruptions had been occurring since 20.15 Wita. At 21.00 Wita that day, PVMBG raised the mountain's status from Alert (Level III) to Warning.