Mass Evacuation as Indonesian Volcano Erupts, Blanketing Skies with Ash
Mount Ruang Eruption: Manado Airport Closed, Thousands Evacuated
– More than 2,100 residents near Mount Ruang on Sulawesi Island evacuated due to volcanic activity.
– Three eruptions recorded, with ash columns reaching 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).
– Manado International Airport temporarily closed, situated less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the volcano.
Volcanic Ash Disruption
– Ash spread detected west, northwest, northeast, and southeast, affecting Manado and North Minahasa.
– Transportation Ministry statement confirms airport closure due to volcanic ash.
– Authorities monitor eruption developments to ensure flight safety and passenger comfort.
Evacuation Efforts
– Over 11,000 individuals advised to leave affected areas.
– Joint local authorities’ team conducts village evacuations via boats to safer locations.
– Concerns over potential tsunami prompt evacuation orders; past eruptions in 1871 caused similar events.
Impact and Response
– Gray volcanic ash blankets houses, roads, and structures; debris damages roofs.
– Mount Ruang experiences five significant eruptions, prompting highest alert level.
– Residents instructed to maintain a minimum distance of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the 725-meter (2,378-foot) mountain.
– Tagulandang Island residents face relocation to Manado, a 6-hour boat journey, amid potential risks.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Vulnerability
– Indonesia, with 120 active volcanoes, lies along the “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to seismic activities.
– The country’s archipelago, home to 270 million people, remains susceptible to volcanic eruptions and associated hazards.