Number Of Evacuees Increase As Mount Sinabung Erupts

Medan, North Sumatra, Dec 31 (Antara) - The number of evacuees has increased to 19,126 as Mount Sinabung erupts lava since Monday (Dec. 30), stated Chief of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho here on Tuesday. "Mount Sinabung has erupted seven times since Monday. It spews 1,200 to 7,000 meters of smoke on to the air. Hot clouds from the eruption are streaming down 3.5 kilometers southeast," Sutopo stated. Mount Sinabung is still on an high alert. The disaster mitigation agency requested people not to indulge in any activities within 5 kilometers radius of Mount Sinabung. People living southeast of Mount Sinabung have been asked to evacuate to avoid possible casualty due to the lava stream and hot clouds in their areas.