Indonesia On High Alert As Mount Ruang Erupts, Hundreds Around Volcano Evacuated: Here's All About It

Indonesia has taken urgent measures in response to the eruptive activity of Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi as per a report by The Hindu.

The volcano, situated on a remote island, has been emitting explosive plumes of lava, rocks, and ash, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of people and the closure of a provincial airport.

On Wednesday (17 April), Mount Ruang's eruption sent a towering column of lava, incandescent rock, and ash up to 3 km (two miles) into the sky. Videos shared on social media captured the dramatic scene, including purple flashes of lightning in the sky above the volcano.

Following the eruption, more than 800 people were evacuated from the area, with authorities expanding the evacuation zone as the alert status was raised to its highest level.

The Volcanology Agency has emphasised the continued high potential for further eruptions, urging people to remain vigilant.

Reports indicate that falling rocks and ash have damaged homes and led to the evacuation of a nearby hospital.

The airport in the provincial capital, Manado, was closed to guard against ash showers, prompting budget airline Air Asia to cancel flights in nine airports across East Malaysia and Brunei due to safety concerns.

Authorities have cordoned off a 6-kilometre (4-mile) area around the volcano and are evacuating more residents, including some from the neighboring island of Tagulandang. Around 1,500 people in high-risk areas are being immediately evacuated, with nearly 12,000 others potentially affected.

Officials have also highlighted the risk of a tsunami if parts of the mountain collapse into the ocean, citing a previous eruption in 1871 that triggered a tsunami resulting in about 400 fatalities.