JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesia was gripped by chaos and fear as Mount Ruang, a remote volcano, unleashed a series of eruptions on April 30, prompting the closure of multiple airports and triggering tsunami concerns. The volcanic activity, which saw lava and ash shooting over 5km into the sky, led to urgent evacuation orders for thousands of residents in the affected areas.
Residents like Ms. Rosalin Salindeho, a 95-year-old from Tagulandang island, described the terrifying scenes as rocks rained down during the eruptions. She recounted the horror of witnessing the mountain explode, with heavy debris causing damage even to distant houses.
The impact of the eruption extended beyond Indonesia’s borders, with volcanic ash reaching as far as eastern Malaysia on Borneo island. This prompted the closure of seven airports, including major hubs like Manado and Gorontalo, disrupting air travel across the region.
Despite ongoing volcanic activity, authorities remained vigilant, with Mr. Julius Ramopolii, head of the Mount Ruang monitoring post, emphasizing the need for continued caution. The volcano continued to emit thick plumes of smoke, reaching heights of 500 to 700 meters above the crater, maintaining the alert level at its highest tier.
Tsunami fears loomed large, fueled by past tragedies like the collapse of Mount Anak Krakatoa’s crater in 2018, which triggered a devastating tsunami that claimed hundreds of lives. The potential for similar events prompted authorities to maintain a seven-kilometer exclusion zone around Mount Ruang, urging residents to remain vigilant and evacuate if necessary.
Indonesia’s vulnerability to seismic and volcanic activity, stemming from its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the nation. Despite efforts to monitor and mitigate risks, the unpredictable nature of natural disasters continues to pose a significant threat to communities across the archipelago.
