AGAM, WEST SUMATRA — Dompet Dhuafa, through its Disaster Management Center (DMC) and Singgalang Branch, has responded to the situation of Mount Marapi, which has once again erupted, emitting thunderous sounds and ash rain in the Village of Bukik Batabuah, Candung District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, from Saturday (13/1/2024) to Sunday morning (14/1/2024).
Previously in December, the local BNBP had established a safe zone with a radius of 3 kilometers from the eruption center. Observing the current situation after Mount Marapi spewed out rocks again, the activity status changed from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Standby), expanding to a 4.5-kilometer radius.
The DMC team from Dompet Dhuafa and Singgalang Branch intensified standby services for residents in Bukik Batabuah Village within a 4.5-kilometer radius from the eruption center, as this area is at the highest risk of being affected by the eruption. On this basis, Warmth Posts and Public Kitchens were established to assist the residents amidst the current alert condition.
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Moreover, mapping evacuation routes and educating the residents on preparedness are currently the main focus to reduce the risk of potential disasters.
“Since we received news that Mount Marapi in West Sumatra has been upgraded from Level 2 to Level 3, we have been anticipating any unwanted events by visually monitoring Mount Marapi, joining the standby post of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra located in Rubang Hamlet, Batang Silasiah Jorong, Bukik Batabuah Village, Candung District, Agam Regency,” explained Narwan, the Manager of Emergency Response, Recovery, and Volunteering at DMC Dompet Dhuafa regarding the action plan for the Mount Marapi eruption response.
“Not only are we keeping the team on alert and observing Marapi’s activities visually, but we are also educating the residents within the eruption zone radius of Mount Marapi to always be vigilant and to self-evacuate to safer points if the activity increases. We are also distributing masks to anticipate volcanic ash disturbance,” continued Narwan.
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“Not only for the affected community, but we are also providing services (to) the joint post officers in the form of Public Kitchens and Water Kitchens, to keep the Marapi Standby Team’s stamina in good condition,” he added.
The continuous ash rain due to the eruption prompted the DMC team from Dompet Dhuafa to distribute hundreds of masks to the residents of Bukik Batabuah Village to prevent respiratory infections caused by volcanic ash. Mask distribution to residents also includes socialization of the current alert condition to accelerate the evacuation process to safer places.
Mask distribution is a continuation of what the DMC team had been and continues to strive for since December. From Saturday (13/1/2024) to Sunday (14/1/2024), the intensity of mask distribution and education on alert conditions has been increased as a rapid response to the situation. The need for masks is considered urgent and must be met immediately.
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“Ash rain occurred again (14/01/2024) after last night’s event. And now there’s quite heavy ash rain. Hopefully, it will subside soon, and residents around here (Bukik Batabuah Village) must wear masks,” reported Amrullah, the Field Coordinator of the Mount Marapi Eruption Standby Team from DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
Amrullah also reported directly from the location that no residents have complained about respiratory infections yet. Hopefully, the team’s assistance can continue to maintain a stable and safe condition for the residents.
Furthermore, the DMC team from Dompet Dhuafa, along with the Joint Team from the military, West Sumatra BPBD, Disaster Alert Group (KSB), and local village officials, conducted evacuation route mapping to quickly move residents to safe points in anticipation of possible worsening conditions.
As of this report, 11 households with 38 individuals from Bukik Batabuah Village have been successfully evacuated. Challenges faced during evacuation include weather conditions and some residents choosing to stay with family members due to work reasons and others.
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Ichwan, the Head of BPBD Agam, hopes residents avoid activities within a 4.5-kilometer radius from the eruption center. This condition demands quick evacuation work.
“Initially, we gave two options to the residents. First, we advised them to evacuate to the nearest family homes outside the 4.5 to 4.6-kilometer radius. Second, evacuate to refugee camps. However, after the team went to the field, they chose to go to the nearest family homes outside the 4.5-kilometer radius,” Ichwan shared, as met by the DMC Dompet Dhuafa team in Bukit Batabuah Village.
Ichwan continued, urging residents living near riverbanks to avoid river routes and immediately move to refugee camps.
Currently, Mount Marapi is at Level III (Standby) status. Therefore, the DMC team from Dompet Dhuafa continues to intensify standby services and accelerate the evacuation process in affected areas, especially mask distribution and socialization related to the alert condition in Bukik Batabuah Village, Candung District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. (Dompet Dhuafa/DMC/MAA)