Indonesia’s Volcanic Challenge: Residents Refuse Evacuation Amid Mount Ibu’s Eruptions
Mount Ibu Disrupts Daily Life on Halmahera Island
TERNATE, INDONESIA — Hundreds of people are refusing to evacuate from their homes on the remote island of Halmahera, North Maluku province, despite warnings from Indonesia’s Geological Agency. Mount Ibu, an active volcano, has been spewing dense smoke and ash since Wednesday.
The agency raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level, urging the evacuation of 3,000 residents from six villages located near the volcano. As of Thursday, only one village had been evacuated, leaving residents in the remaining five villages to make their own decisions.
Residents Defy Evacuation Orders
Some locals, accustomed to Mount Ibu’s frequent eruptions, have opted to remain in their homes, viewing the latest activity as a usual occurrence. Milka Sehe, a 43-year-old resident of Todoke village, stated, “We are already accustomed to the eruptions of Mount Ibu, and so far, there has been no impact on our village. That is why we do not want to be evacuated.”
Similarly, Rista Tuyu in Tuguis village expressed hope that the eruptions would subside quickly. “Of course, there is some fear and concern, but we are already used to the eruptions here,” she said. “In a week, eruptions could happen three to four times, but the biggest ones occurred this week.”
Continued Eruptions and Ongoing Concerns
Mount Ibu has witnessed increasing volcanic activity since June of last year, with eruptions becoming more frequent. Thursday alone saw multiple eruptions, with thick smoke covering the volcano’s peak up to 400 meters high.
Disaster management officials remain vigilant, aiming to evacuate all remaining residents within the restricted zone. Irfan Idrus, a spokesman for the local disaster management agency, commented, “We will continue to coordinate with local officials and community leaders to ensure that the residents of the five villages are evacuated, as they are within the restricted zone.”
Measures for Public Safety
Local authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid a five to six-kilometer exclusion zone around Mount Ibu’s peak. Masks are recommended to mitigate the effects of falling ash.
The island of Halmahera, with a population of approximately 700,000, is particularly susceptible to seismic and volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high levels of geological activity.
Recent Volcanic Activity in Indonesia
Indonesia’s volcanic landscape poses ongoing challenges. Notably, last November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores island erupted repeatedly, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals.
Another example of the region’s volatility was Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, which erupted multiple times in 2021, necessitating evacuations from nearby islands.
Conclusion and Alert
The situation around Mount Ibu highlights the continuous need for vigilance and effective disaster management strategies in Indonesia’s earthquake-prone regions. While some residents have chosen to stay in their homes, acknowledging their resilience to the volcano’s activity, authorities will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all affected communities.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and keep checking Archynetys for more coverage of natural disasters and volcanic activities in Indonesia and around the world.
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