Indonesia to relocate hundreds of islanders affected by Mount Ruang eruption

JAKARTA: Hundreds of residents of Ruang Island in North Sulawesi will be relocated following a series of massive eruptions of Mount Ruang volcano since Apr 16.

Experts say all parts of the island could now be vulnerable if eruptions occur again.

Two villages on Ruang Island consisting of 272 families, or about 838 people, will be moved from the remote areas on the 19 km square island in the Sulawesi Sea. 

"They are now being evacuated and soon to be relocated," said Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Jarwansyah, who goes by one name, in Manado, North Sulawesi, Monday (Apr 29).

He added that preparations are being made by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for residents of Ruang Island to be relocated to the nearby island of Tagulandang which is about 5 km from Ruang Island.

"The local government will provide seven hectares of land for the relocation site. It is in process and the relocation site is only in Tagulandang," said Mr Jarwansyah.

A series of eruptions - which experts describe as Indonesia's biggest in 50 years -  has taken place at Mt Ruang since Apr 16.

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.