12 Feb 2019 | 09:15 PM UTC
Indonesia: Officials order evacuations near Mount Karangetang February 11 /update 1
Officials order evacuations near Mount Karangetang, restrict travel near volcano February 11; further disruptions possible in coming weeks
Event
On Monday, February 11, local authorities advised all residents of the villages of Batubulan, Beba, and Niambangeng (North Sulawesi province) to evacuate the vicinity of Mount Karangetang. Due to its eruption, authorities also restricted travel inside a radius of 4 km (2.5 mi) to the north-northwest of the main crater, 3 km (1.9 mi) to the west-northwest of the crater, and 2 km (1.2 mi) to the south of the main crater and to the north of a minor crater. Further evacuations and travel restrictions, as well as flight delays or cancelations in the vicinity of the eruption, remain possible.
Context
The evacuations are currently ongoing, although efforts are hampered by damage to local infrastructure inflicted by lava flows.
Mount Karangetan is one of Indonesia's 129 active volcanoes. On December 21, 2019, authorities raised the alert status for the volcano to the second-highest degree after the volcano erupted.
Advice
Individuals in or traveling near the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation and anticipate flight diversions and disruptions (e.g. delays and cancelations) in the event of further eruptions.
