The Indonesian government has announced plans to permanently relocate nearly 10,000 residents following a series of explosive eruptions of the Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi. The volcano has been emitting incandescent lava and ash columns, prompting concerns about the safety of living on the island.
Authorities have evacuated all 9,800 residents of Ruang island due to the heightened volcanic activity. The alert status of the volcano has been raised to the highest level, leading to the closure of the provincial airport in Manado. There are also warnings of a potential tsunami if parts of the mountain collapse into the surrounding waters.
To facilitate the relocations, the government plans to build hundreds of 'simple but permanent' homes in the Bolaang Mongondow area, located approximately 200 km away from Ruang island. These houses will be constructed to meet disaster standards, as per the directive of President Joko Widodo.
Following a recent eruption on Tuesday, residents who had sought refuge on Tagulandang island were forced to evacuate to the provincial capital of Manado. The volcanic ash has covered roads and buildings on Tagulandang, causing damage to homes and infrastructure.
Although the volcano did not erupt on Friday, the closure of Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado was extended due to the spread of volcanic ash. Indonesia, situated on the 'Pacific Ring of Fire,' experiences high seismic activity due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates.
