Antara News·Indonesia·Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 04:11 AM

BNPB urges Karo residents to evacuate as Mount Sinabung status rises

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M. Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Katriana

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged residents of Karo District, North Sumatra, to immediately evacuate to safe areas following an increase in Mount Sinabung's alert status to Level III (Standby).

Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of the BNPB's Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, said on Saturday that the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the status following an eruption on Monday, Aug. 31, which spewed an ash column 3,500 meters above the peak.

According to observations from the Mount Sinabung monitoring post on Friday between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time, thick white volcanic ash was seen rising 300 to 500 meters above the crater.

"Local authorities, together with relevant agencies, are directing residents in areas affected by volcanic ash to evacuate to safer locations and distributing masks to minimize health risks," he said.

Panjaitan said volcanic ash fall is significantly impacting residential areas and agricultural land in Ndokum Siroga and Kuta Tengah villages in Simpang Empat Sub-district, as well as Payung Village in Payung Sub-district.

The BNPB Operations Control Directorate confirmed that as of Friday, Sept. 4, a total of 208 families, or 650 people, had evacuated.

Of these, 405 people are currently staying at the Jambur Arih Ersada evacuation center in Sukatepu Village, Naman Teran Sub-District.

Panjaitan said the Karo Regency Government, alongside the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Indonesian Military (TNI), and National Police (Polri), has secured hazardous areas, including Lake Lau Kawar.

Authorities are also spraying water to clear volcanic ash in central Berastagi and have placed Payung Village on standby for further evacuations if volcanic activity escalates.

"Based on patrols, the area has been confirmed to be free of visitors," he said.

Emergency response measures include running public kitchens three times daily, providing clean water, and relocating classes for students of SD Negeri 040475 Tiga Serangkai to an emergency learning site.

"Payung Village in Payung District has temporarily been placed on standby. Junior high school students attending schools outside the village are being provided with transportation by the Karo Regency Satpol PP," he added.

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