After the eruption of Mount Ruang, residents began to move again on Tagulandang Island

Almost all of the roofs of residents' homes are also covered in piled up ash. Some of them even have holes caused by the eruption of glowing rocks. Many windows of residents' homes are also shattered. Education and healthcare services have not yet been operational.

Nevertheless, a number of residents have shown signs of returning to their activities. Some of them are seen putting up tarps and cleaning ash from their roofs. Since early May, some residents have occasionally returned home to sweep the yard filled with ash or to check on the condition of their furniture.

A resident of Balehumara Village, Tagulandang District, Siau Tagulandang Biaro Regency (Sitaro), Fandris Humboti (35), explained that almost every afternoon he comes back to clean the ash from the roof of his house. He used a water spray to remove the ash.

However, at night, he returned to take refuge at his sibling's house in Minanga Village, Tagulandang District. "I am still afraid to spend the night at home because Mount Ruang's status is still on high alert," he said.

Also read: Relocation of Mountain Refugees Space Prepared

Lilianeke Iaginda (45), a resident of Balehumara Sub-district, also did the same thing. In addition to cleaning up the ash, Lilianeke and her husband, Tonny Mangundap (51), decided to return home to reinforce the foundation of their kitchen using bamboo. They were worried that if a re-eruption occurred, that part of the house could collapse.

According to data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sitaro, there are eight areas affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang. These areas are Balehumara Village, Bahoi Village, Mahangiang Village, Lesah Rende Village, Haasi Village, and Tulusang Village. The other two villages are Laingpatehi Village and Pumpente Village, both located at the foot of Mount Ruang.

Meanwhile, some vendors have started opening their shops at the Tagulandang People's Market. Out of hundreds of kiosks, three fruit and vegetable stands were seen open. Some fish vendors were also seen starting their sales.

One of the merchants, Metty Anthoine (52), stated that she has resumed selling since Thursday (2/5/2024). She mentioned that after the eruption last week, the distribution of vegetables and fruits from Manado has started to normalize.

Fish trader, Sumarlin Manuho (51), said that with traders starting to sell again, it is hoped that the community will be able to meet their needs.

I'm still afraid to spend the night at home because the status of Mount Ruang is still on alert.

As of Thursday at 5:00 PM WITA, the status of Gunung Ruang is still Alert. Head of the Gunung Ruang Emergency Response Team at the Geological Agency, Kristianto, explained that based on visual observations, the mountain is still emitting thick white ash with a height of 200-400 meters visible above the crater. This has been ongoing since Thursday morning until noon.

In addition, seismic activity is still occurring, such as tremor earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-4 millimeters as well as several volcanic earthquakes. Tremor earthquakes indicate that there is still rock or liquid activity that will rise up. In observations on Thursday, it is highly likely that what came out of the crater was smoke or ash.

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Meanwhile, the volcanic quake indicates that there is still a supply of magma in the magma chamber. Although the status of Mount Ruang is still Alert, the Geological Agency has reduced the danger radius from 7 kilometers (km) to 5 km.

Kristianto added that, based on historical records, the largest activity of Mount Ruang occurred in 1871. At that time, the mountain eruption caused a tsunami. However, currently, the community is advised not to worry because the recent eruption does not have the potential to cause a tsunami.

"From the evaluation, we analyzed and decided that the status is still Alert. We cannot predict when the status will decrease. Therefore, the community must remain cautious and trust information from the Geological Agency and other parties such as BPBD," he said.

Also read: President Jokowi Requests Immediate Relocation of All Refugees from Mount Ruang Eruption

The head of Logistics and Emergency field at BPBD Sitaro, Sony Belseran, explained that out of 9,083 residents in Tagulandang District, as many as 5,748 residents have left the Sitaro area. Refugees generally head to Manado City, Bitung City, and North Minahasa.

Meanwhile, another group remains in the Sitaro area, namely on Tagulandang Island and Siau Island. Sony said not all residents are in evacuation centers. This is because the majority of them chose to evacuate to their relatives' homes.

Also read: Becoming a Conservation Area, Residents are Urged Not to Return to Mount Ruang

"Not all residents are in shelters, there are those who fled to areas outside the danger radius. We have set up a public kitchen in Apengsala Village. Refugees from various places can get food there," he said.

According to data from the Sitaro Regional Disaster Management Agency, 198 houses in Laingpatehi Village and Pumpente Village at the foot of Mount Ruang were declared severely damaged. In addition, 25 public facilities in the two villages were also damaged. The residents who previously inhabited these areas are planned to be relocated to Modisi Village in South Bolaang Mongondow Regency.