TERNATE, Indonesia:  , Thousands of islanders are set to be evacuated after a volcano erupted in eastern Indonesia, spewing a towering column of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, officials said on Wednesday ( Jan 15 ).
Mount Ibu, located on the distant island of Halmahera, erupted for a second time this year on Wednesday, sending a column of smoke 4km into the clouds.
The volcano’s call position was immediately raised to the highest degree by Indonesia’s Geological Agency.
” Following the increase in Mount Ibu’s ( alert ) level, today we will evacuate residents in five villages”, said local disaster management head Wawan Gunawan Ali.
On Wednesday night, local officials planned to leave roughly 3, 000 people from nearby settlements, he added.
Some people had now gathered in a town house, ready for departure, an AFP writer on the ground reported.
Since last June, there has been a substantial boost in volcanic activity in Mount Ibu due to a number of earthquakes.
In the first month of January only, the mountain, which is one of Indonesia’s most effective, erupted four times.
Residents who live close to Mount Ibu and tourists are advised to avoid a 5 to 6 km rejection area close to the volcano’s top and to use face masks in the event of falling dust.
As of 2022, about 700, 000 people were living on Halmahera area, according to official statistics.
Indonesia, a large island, experiences frequent geological and volcanic action as it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Last November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1, 703m twin-peaked mountain on the holiday island of Reyes erupted more than a few times in one year, killing nine people in its original explosion.
In North Sulawesi state, Mount Ruang erupted more than a few days last year, obliging residents of local islands.