Monday, 07 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government, through the North Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), continues to strengthen measures to address the impact of increased activity at Mount Sinabung, which remains at Alert Level 3. The measures focus on public safety, meeting the needs of evacuees, and preparing for possible further eruptions.
Head of the North Sumatra BPBD Tuahta Ramajaya Saragih outlined the measures during a press conference on Friday, September 4, 2026, in the lobby of the Dekranasda building at the North Sumatra Governor's Office in Medan. The North Sumatra BPBD continues to coordinate with the Karo Regency Government and relevant agencies to ensure that residents from high-risk areas remain protected while staying at evacuation centers and receive essential basic necessities.
Based on the latest coordination efforts, approximately 201 families, or 650 residents of Kuta Tengah Village, have been evacuated to the areas of Suka Tepu Village and Koperasi Desa Kelurahan/PUD. At the same time, a joint response team evacuated residents from the Red Zone within a six-kilometer radius, including residents of Kuta Rakyat Village, to safe locations in Naman Teran District.
Tuahta said the North Sumatra BPBD immediately deployed personnel and supporting equipment following the increase in Sinabung's activity. Response teams distributed masks, set up evacuation tents, and provided various vehicles to support evacuation efforts and meet the needs of residents.
"Since the increased activity began, North Sumatra BPBD personnel have been on the ground distributing masks, setting up evacuation tents, and providing evacuation trucks, clean-water tankers, and toilet vehicles," Tuahta said.
During the initial phase, the North Sumatra BPBD distributed 630 masks to residents. Response personnel also erected five of the seven evacuation tents that had been prepared to meet the needs of affected residents. In addition, the North Sumatra BPBD deployed two evacuation trucks, one clean-water tanker, and one toilet vehicle to evacuation sites.
These measures are part of the government's efforts to ensure that residents who have been forced to leave their homes continue to have access to basic facilities while staying at evacuation centers. The North Sumatra BPBD is also continuously monitoring developments in needs on the ground so that relief supplies can be distributed according to the situation and the number of evacuees.
In addition to meeting basic needs, the government is also paying close attention to the health of evacuees. Exposure to volcanic ash can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses. Therefore, the North Sumatra BPBD is strengthening coordination with the health sector.
The North Sumatra BPBD is working with the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office and the Karo Regency Health Office to establish health posts at evacuation centers. The government is also preparing services to help prevent stunting among children, as well as medical support vehicles to strengthen healthcare services for affected residents.
Additional masks are being delivered continuously by the North Sumatra BPBD to the main emergency response post according to demand. The measure is intended to help prevent possible acute respiratory infections (ARI) caused by exposure to volcanic material.
The government is also monitoring the condition of vulnerable groups while they remain at evacuation centers. Inter-agency coordination is an important part of ensuring that healthcare services can be maintained in line with developments in volcanic activity.
Meanwhile, the government is also monitoring residents who continue to temporarily return to their homes during the day to check the condition of their houses and livestock. Some residents make temporary visits because they want to ensure that their property and livestock left behind remain safe.
To minimize the associated risks, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), through the Karo Police and Karo Military District, are maintaining security in villages vacated by evacuees. Security personnel are securing the areas to give residents a sense of safety while also controlling the movement of people into affected areas.
Tuahta said the government could not forcibly prevent residents from returning to their homes. However, BPBD personnel, together with the TNI and Polri, will continue to provide assistance and supervision. At the same time, mobilization measures have been prepared in case Sinabung's activity suddenly increases again.
"We cannot forcibly make people stay there, but BPBD personnel, as well as the TNI and Polri, will continue to provide assistance and remain ready to mobilize in the event of another sudden eruption," he added.
The North Sumatra BPBD reminded the public, particularly residents living in disaster-prone areas, to continue putting the safety of human life first. The government urged residents to follow all recommendations issued by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), which serves as the technical reference for determining the level of danger posed by Mount Sinabung.
The government also warned residents not to use the volcano's visible condition as the sole basis for assessing the level of danger. A volcano that appears calmer does not automatically mean that the threat has passed.
Tuahta emphasized that residents must continue to follow official information and recommendations from the relevant authorities. He said the PVMBG's technical assessments remain the primary basis for determining Sinabung's activity status and the measures to be taken by the government.
"We urge the public to continue prioritizing the safety of human life and follow the recommendations of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). Even if the eruptions appear to be subsiding to the naked eye and only thin smoke can be seen, the official status is determined entirely by the PVMBG's technical assessment," Tuahta said in closing.
As of Friday afternoon, visual observations indicated that Sinabung's activity was gradually declining. The smoke was thinner than during the initial phase, when dark ash was still visible during the volcanic activity.
However, the volcano's visible condition remains insufficient grounds for the government to reduce its heightened level of vigilance. The North Sumatra BPBD emphasized that the government will continue to rely on official recommendations from the PVMBG in determining the status and duration of the response measures.
With Sinabung remaining at Alert Level 3, the provincial government, BPBD, TNI, Polri, and other relevant agencies continue to maintain operational readiness. The provision of assistance to evacuees, medical services, security in affected areas, and preparations for possible evacuations are all part of risk-reduction measures in response to potential changes in volcanic activity.
The government also urged residents not to ignore instructions issued by response personnel on the ground. Public preparedness and coordination among agencies remain crucial to minimizing risks should Sinabung's activity increase again or another eruption occur. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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