MT Lokon in North Sulawesi Records Three Eruptions

Jakarta (Antara) - Mount Lokon in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, erupted three times on Saturday at 3am, 11.46am and 16.00pm. "The eruptions were accompanied by volcanic ash spewing 500 meter high from the Tompaluan crater," head of information data and public relations of the National Agency for Disaster Mitigation (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said. Volcanic ash spread north and west, as rain carrying ash fell in Manado city, Malalayang, Mandolang Minahasa and surrounding areas. No damage had been caused by the eruptions and public activities in the region remained normal, Sutopo said. The volcano remained under a Level III alert status and, due to that, the public was asked not to conduct activities within a radius of 2.5 kilometer from the Tompaluan crater, he added. "No evacuation has been carried out and people are still conducting their activities normally, but they have been asked to wear masks," Sutopo said. Mount Lokon is an active volcano and has often erupted, as residents of surrounding areas have adapted themselves to the situation. People have thought that the eruptions would make the areas around the mountain more fertile and increase agricultural productivity, he said. "What is important is when eruptions happen people abide by government instructions so that no casualties occur," he said. (*) reporting by desi purnamawati