Villagers Facing Cold Lava Flood in Gamalama

VIVAnews – Mount Gamalama in Ternate, Maluku Province, is still erupting.  Residents around the area are now worried about cold lava flood. 

“The chance of cold lava flooding is increased because of rising rainfalls,” said Head of Information Data Center and Public Relations of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, in a written statement, today. 

Residents are warned to stay away from Disaster-prone Area III and II due to the possible hot clouds.  Cold lava flood threatens Disaster-prone Area I.

“Currently, there are 646 households or 2,731 people evacuated in nine evacuation posts,” said Sutopo.  There are no fatalities from the eruption.

Mount Gamalama erupted on December 4 around 10.25 a.m.  It was raining in North Maluku and the power was out when the eruption took place.  However, there were no material losses from the eruption. 

The eruption had disturbed flights between Manado and Ternate. However, on Sunday, Dec 11, Manado-Ternate flights were reopened.