Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy has assured that homecomers can safely cross the area around Mount Anak Krakatau, which is currently on Level 3 alert status.
After conducting an aerial inspection, Effendy said that the condition of Mount Anak Krakatau was still conducive.
"From the direct observation near Mount Anak Krakatau, it has been confirmed that the condition is safe, inshallah (if God wills). Therefore, if there are rumors that Anak Krakatau is in serious condition, it is not true," he added in a written statement received here on Thursday.
He noted that the conditions around Mount Anak Krakatau are still safe for transportation to cross. However, people are prohibited from venturing within a 5-kilometer radius of the area.
Effendy said that based on scientific evidence from a study conducted by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the condition has been proven safe.
"What is important is that if we look at it with the naked eye and based on scientific evidence, it is still safe," he stressed.
Ahead of the 2022 Eid al-Fitr, the status of Mount Anak Krakatau has been raised from alert Level 2 to alert Level 3.
The increase in the status of Mount Anak Krakatau has been due to the volcanic activity of the mountain, and as of Thursday, it is still in the period of eruption and avalanche.
To assess the risk, the minister, together with head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto; head of BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati; and head of PVMBG, Hendra Gunawan, conducted a joint inspection of Mount Anak Krakatau Island by air, on Thursday.
The hazard assessment is conducted by observing the primary and secondary hazards on Mount Anak Krakatau Island.
In general, volcanic activities such as earthquakes, eruptions, and avalanches have shown a declining trend as of April 25. However, under the alert Level 3 status, there is still the possibility of a sudden increase in volcanic activity. (*)
Editor : Abdullah Rifai
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