Experts have praised the preparedness of the Ruang Island residents, who were able to evacuate within hours before the eruption occurred. There were no casualties reported following the eruption.
The Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has lowered Mt Ruang’s status from alert level IV to level III. However, the public is still prohibited from setting foot on the island.
According to experts, all parts of Ruang Island are now considered to be vulnerable to lava flows and fast-moving gas clouds as well as other volcanic materials, making relocation the best option for the affected community.
North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dodokambey said that the relocation was also the wish of most of the Ruang Island residents themselves.
“During Deputy Governor Steven Kandouw’s working visit there, the people were asked about relocation and most of them have asked to be relocated,” Mr Olly was quoted as saying by local media platform Liputan6.com.
In addition to housing, Mr Olly added, infrastructure such as roads, schools and houses of worship will also be built at the relocation site on Tagulandang.
“Residents will be relocated to the most suitable place, both in terms of culture, economy and atmosphere,” Mr Olly said.
Authorities said that Ruang Island will later be used as an observation area once its whole population has been relocated.
