The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, has issued an early warning for communities living along river basins originating from Mount Karangetang. This step was taken following a small-scale explosive eruption observed on Sunday night.
Sonny Belseran, Head of the Emergency Division at Sitaro BPBD, emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance among residents, especially during nighttime activities. Despite the eruption, the alert status of the volcano located on Siau Island remains at Level II (Alert/Waspada).
According to monitoring records, the eruption occurred at precisely 19:14 WITA. The volcanic activity was marked by a booming sound from the northern crater, with an eruption column reaching a height of 300 to 400 meters. Volcanic material was subsequently observed flowing northwest for 700 to 1,000 meters, along the path between Batu Bulan River and Kawahang.
In addition to the material flow, the explosion ignited vegetation around the summit area. Reflections of the fire were briefly visible in the clouds, raising concerns about a significant increase in fire activity. However, BPBD assured that the situation remains under strict surveillance.
To minimize risks, authorities reiterated a strict ban on residents entering the crater radius and lava flow paths. The public is asked to remain calm and rely only on official information released by BPBD to prevent the spread of disinformation or hoaxes regarding the current situation of Mount Karangetang.
