Archive: 8 September 2026
Showing 1,101-1,150 of 1,696 articles
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:51 WIB
Bali Regional Parliament Evaluates Education System, School Principals Serving Two Terms Must Be Replaced
Commission IV of the Bali DPRD has evaluated the provincial education system, calling for school principals who have served two terms to be replaced in line with regulations. The council also flagged a shortage of 990 teachers, the 13-year compulsory education programme, and a planned cut in the 2027 education budget to Rp 1.3 trillion from Rp 1.9 trillion in 2026.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:51 WIB
After state election victory, Germany's far-right AfD sets sights on federal poll
Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is targeting victory in the next federal election after a sweeping win in the Saxony-Anhalt state poll. Party leader Alice Weidel claimed the CDU/CSU would never win a federal election again and vowed to expand the AfD's lead to at least 40 per cent. She framed the state result as a reflection of public desire for political change, citing migration, energy costs and deindustrialisation.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:51 WIB
Economist: Quality of domestic salt is key to reducing industrial salt imports
Indef Executive Director Esther Sri Astuti says reducing Indonesia's dependence on imported industrial salt requires improving the quality and specification consistency of domestic production, not merely replacing import tonnage. More than 55 per cent of the nation's 2024 salt requirement of roughly 4.8 million tonnes was met by imports. The government aims to phase out salt imports by 2029 as national production rises to five million tonnes.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:50 WIB
Video: Mount Anak Krakatau: Eruption, Ash Spread, and Economic Impact
Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait has renewed significant volcanic activity, having been on Level III (Alert) status since 2 July 2026 after the Geology Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources raised its level. Activity briefly showed signs of easing in mid-July, though the alert status remains unchanged. CNBC Indonesia's Profit programme examines the eruption, ash distribution and its economic consequences.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:50 WIB
Customs Office Seizes 6,776 Illegal Cigarettes in Joint Operation in Lamongan
Gresik Customs, together with local agencies, seized 6,776 illegal cigarettes during a joint operation across four districts in Lamongan Regency. Most of the illicit products were found in Kedungpring. The operation forms part of wider efforts to curb illegal cigarettes and protect state excise revenue.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:50 WIB
Claims That Volcanic Eruptions in Indonesia Are Engineered Are Baseless, Says Earthquake Expert
Daryono, an earthquake expert from the Indonesian Disaster Expert Association (IABI), has firmly rejected claims that recent volcanic eruptions in Indonesia resulted from technological engineering or weaponry. He explained that eruptions are driven by massive endogenic energy from the Earth's mantle that no human technology can simulate, trigger or control.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:50 WIB
Australian Man Admits to Killing Indonesian Woman in Melbourne
Allen Keys, 68, has pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to the murder of Eva Lasrini, a 53-year-old Indonesian mother of two who lived in Dandenong. The victim's body was found near Little River on 4 April after her family reported her missing, and Keys was arrested the previous day at Melbourne's international airport as he attempted to board a flight abroad. He will next appear before the Victorian Supreme Court on 28 September.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:50 WIB
New INKA CLI-225 Commuter Trains Suddenly Absent from Bogor Line — Here's Why
PT KAI Commuter Indonesia has pulled seven train sets of the INKA-produced iE305 (CLI-225) series for a general check-up running from 7 to 30 September 2026. The inspection has forced adjustments to 17 daily journeys, all on the Bogor Line, reducing weekday services from 1,065 to 1,048 trips per day.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:49 WIB
South Korean Embassy in Jakarta Promotes Food Products, Including K-Halal
The South Korean Embassy in Jakarta has promoted the expansion of Korean food products in the Indonesian market through the "Discover, Awesome K-Food in Jakarta" programme at the Jakarta International Premium Products Fair and Jakarta Entrepreneur Conference 2026. The initiative, a collaboration with South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, showcased four product categories including K-Halal. It aims to broaden Indonesian consumers' awareness of the diversity of quality Korean food products.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:48 WIB
14-Year-Old Student Dies After Allegedly Being Struck With Wooden Beam Over Noisy Exhaust in Banyumas
A 14-year-old student, SHAP, died after allegedly being struck on the head with a wooden beam by a local resident in Berkoh, South Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java. The incident reportedly occurred after residents targeted the motorcycle he was riding because of its noisy exhaust. Police have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, RM, and are continuing their investigation.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:47 WIB
BMKG Says Indonesia Remains Critical: Sumatra to Papua in the Red, El Nino Very Strong
Indonesia's meteorological agency BMKG has warned that September 2026 is a critical phase for forest and land fires, with dry conditions, a very strong El Nino and high hotspots across Sumatra, Kalimantan and beyond. The Ministry of Forestry reported 386 high-confidence hotspots nationally on 7 September, down 288 from the previous day, though smoke spread and rising PM2.5 levels threaten air quality. Coordinating Minister for Political and Legal Affairs Djamari Chaniago stressed that fire prevention is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated mitigation.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:47 WIB
AirNav: Wunopito Airport closed due to volcanic activity of Mount Lewotolok
AirNav Indonesia has issued a NOTAM temporarily closing Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, from 8 September 2026 after Mount Lewotolok erupted with an ash column reaching around 800 metres. The closure is expected to last until approximately 06.00 WIB on 9 September, with AirNav monitoring ash dispersal and coordinating with stakeholders to prioritise flight safety.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:46 WIB
Nation in Chaos! Gangs Now Penetrate Villages, Residents on Alert
Armed gangs in Haiti are extending operations from Port-au-Prince into rural areas using swift attacks such as kidnappings, livestock theft and road blockades. A Global Initiative report warns that small, fast-moving units are terrorising communities in regions like Kenscoff and Artibonite, overwhelming limited security forces and threatening the country's key agricultural heartland.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:46 WIB
TNI supports cloud seeding operations to fight S Kalimantan wildfires
The Indonesian military, through Sjamsudin Noor Air Base, is supporting BNPB cloud seeding operations to combat forest and land fires in South Kalimantan. Three sorties, each carrying one ton of seeding material, have already produced rainfall in several districts, including Tanah Bumbu and Tabalong. The aerial effort forms part of an integrated approach alongside ground firefighting, with President Prabowo having ordered stronger disaster mitigation measures.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:46 WIB
Scene at Terminal 3 as Soekarno-Hatta Resumes Operations, Check-in Queues Stretch Long
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang resumed flight operations after a closure caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. Terminal 3's international departures area was packed with passengers, with long check-in queues, though flights to Muscat and Colombo were cancelled. Passengers are advised to check flight status with airlines or the InJourney Airports contact centre.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:46 WIB
Bareksa Insight: SBN Yield Eases as UST Rises — A Look at SR025, Mutual Funds and Gold Investment Potential
Indonesia's 10-year government bond yield fell to 7.088% on 7 September even as the 10-year US Treasury yield rose, supported by strong foreign net buying of Rp15.35 trillion in August and rising foreign exchange reserves. Against a backdrop of oil near US$100 per barrel and mounting expectations of Fed tightening, Bareksa advises investors to align tenor, liquidity and diversification with their risk profile. Options include fixed-income mutual funds, money market funds, the SR025 retail sukuk with fixed coupons of 6.8–6.9%, and gold as a long-term diversifier.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:46 WIB
Lawyer: Febrie Adriansyah does not know Lucy named by Tan Kian
Lawyers for former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah deny any connection to a figure named Lucy, who was mentioned in the case file of property businessman Tan Kian. Tan Kian allegedly gave S$40 billion equivalent to Ferry Yanto Hongkiriwang to settle corruption cases, with Febrie among four prosecutors who might have received the money — a claim his lawyer rejects.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:45 WIB
Viral Video Shows KRL Stopping Longer at UI Station — Driver Had Gone to the Toilet
A video went viral showing a commuter train (KRL) stopping longer than usual at Universitas Indonesia Station, after passengers questioned the delay. KAI Commuter explained the driver of the Jakarta Kota–Bogor service needed to use the toilet, and apologised for the roughly three-minute stop.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:45 WIB
Weighing Nature as a Legal Subject
Amid recurring forest and land fires that burned over 72,000 hectares of peatland across six provinces, this opinion piece argues that Indonesian environmental law should recognise nature as a legal subject rather than merely an object managed for human benefit. Drawing on the 'rights of nature' doctrine, the author contends that forests, rivers and ecosystems deserve their own legal interests, enforceable in court and requiring ecological restoration beyond mere compensation for human losses.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:45 WIB
164 Countries Back Adoption of a New World Map
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a non-binding resolution, put forward by Togo, encouraging the use of the Equal Earth map projection, which depicts the true relative sizes of countries and continents. The move was supported by 164 member states, with the United States voting against and six others abstaining. Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey framed the change as a matter of justice and dignity, arguing that traditional cartography has long distorted perceptions of Africa's true size.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:44 WIB
After Mobile Operators, It Is Now the Tower Industry's Turn to Consolidate
With Indonesia's mobile telecoms market now reduced to three major operators, the next wave of consolidation is expected in the telecommunications tower sector, most notably the reported merger between Telkom's Mitratel and Tower Bersama. Executives say consolidation could drive efficiency and strengthen the industry, though analysts caution that revenue growth still depends on tenancy ratios and new tenants rather than tower counts alone.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:44 WIB
Foreigners Affected by Eruptions Granted Emergency Stay Permits and Exempted from Overstay Fees
Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration will issue Emergency Situation Stay Permits (ITKT) free of charge to foreign nationals whose flights were cancelled or diverted due to volcanic eruptions. The policy follows the Anak Krakatau eruption, which disrupted 520 flights affecting some 86,760 passengers between 5 and 7 September 2026. Overstay penalties will be waived, and immigration offices across Java have begun processing applications.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:43 WIB
Police Arrest Five Students Planning a Brawl in Bogor, Machete Seized
Police in Gunung Putri, Bogor, West Java, arrested five students aged between 13 and 17 who were allegedly preparing to take part in a brawl on Jalan Raya Bojong Nangka. Officers seized a machete, a mobile phone and two motorcycles as evidence, following a tip-off from local residents. The police urged parents, schools and the community to educate children to avoid brawls that could endanger their futures.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:43 WIB
Caca Repeatedly Breaks Into Homes in East Jakarta, Uses the Money for Clubbing
Police have named a 21-year-old woman, known as Caca, as a suspect in a series of house burglaries across East Jakarta. She confessed to spending the stolen cash on nightclub outings and alcohol, and faces up to five years in prison under Article 476 of the Criminal Code.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:43 WIB
Ministry sends 160 health workers to NTT for earthquake trauma care
Indonesia's Health Ministry has deployed a second batch of 160 personnel to earthquake-affected districts in East Nusa Tenggara, shifting focus towards psychosocial and mental health support for traumatised residents, particularly children. The teams will work across Puskesmas and two field hospitals in Ruteng and Ngada, following WHO-standard 14-day rotations aligned with the provincial emergency response timeline. The deployment supplements an earlier wave of 206 health workers and includes support for post-operative patient management.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:42 WIB
Plenary session approves Population Administration Bill as House initiative
The DPR plenary session has approved the second amendment to Law No. 23 of 2006 on Population Administration as a House initiative bill, to be deliberated jointly with the government. A key feature of the bill is a single identity number that would consolidate multiple cards such as BPJS, NPWP, ID card and family card into one. Supporters say it will simplify administration and guarantee citizens' rights through greater data certainty.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:42 WIB
To Tackle Volcanic Ash Spread, South Tangerang City Government Sprays Water on Several Road Sections
The South Tangerang municipal government, together with a joint team, sprayed water on major road corridors in the early hours of Tuesday to suppress settled volcanic ash. Deputy Mayor Pilar Saga Ichsan led the operation, which targeted three main routes and involved multiple agencies. The spraying will be carried out in phases, with other corridors evaluated daily to determine priorities.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:42 WIB
Mount Ibu in Halmahera and Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara Erupt Repeatedly Today
Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island erupted seven times and Mount Ile Lewotolok on Lembata Island erupted once, according to monitoring data from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's Magma platform. Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait also erupted four times on the same day, with its alert level remaining at Level III (Standby).
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:41 WIB
M 5.2 Aftershock Strikes Flores, Tremors Felt as Far as East Sumba
A magnitude 5.2 aftershock struck Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) at 12.40 Wita, with tremors felt in Manggarai, West Manggarai, Nagekeo and Ngada, and as far away as East Sumba. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) located the epicentre 60 km from Ruteng at a depth of 10 km. It is part of the ongoing aftershock sequence following the M 7.7 earthquake on 15 August, and many displaced residents remain too afraid to return home.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:41 WIB
Bulog ready to carry out President's instruction on rice aid through December
Perum Bulog has declared its readiness to distribute rice food aid for the October to December 2026 allocation, following an instruction from President Prabowo Subianto to continue the programme to safeguard national food security and protect people's purchasing power. The decision was discussed at a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace attended by senior ministers. Bulog says it holds more than 4 million tonnes of government rice stocks and a nationwide warehouse network to support effective distribution.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:40 WIB
ATR Minister says LP2B designation reaches 87.52 percent of national LBS
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid announced that the designation of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) has reached 87.52 percent of the national rice field baseline, surpassing the 87 percent target originally set for 2029. The achievement follows eight months of coordinated work with the Interior Ministry, BPS, and the Coordinating Food Ministry, though seven provinces remain below target.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:40 WIB
Video: Kalimantan River Levels Recede - Chinese Cars Set to Be Banned from the US
A prolonged dry season and El Niño have caused river levels in Kalimantan to fall, disrupting coal transport activities. Meanwhile, a US automaker alliance is urging Congress to pass legislation permanently banning Chinese vehicles before the current session ends.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:40 WIB
OGA 2026 Opens With Stronger Focus on Market Access, Regional Projects And Energy Opportunities
The 22nd Oil & Gas Asia (OGA) exhibition opened in Kuala Lumpur, co-located with MOGSEC and EIC Connect OGA, bringing together Malaysian and international energy companies to address shifting demand, supply-chain pressures and the energy transition. The event is expected to draw over 30,000 trade attendees and 2,000 brands, with eight international pavilions and a new collaboration with Timor-Leste. Notably for the region, EIC Connect OGA focuses on project pipelines and investment opportunities in markets including Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:40 WIB
UN Warns AI Could Pose a Threat to Humankind
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has warned that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an existential risk to humanity, citing incidents such as the hacking of the Hugging Face platform by OpenAI agents. He urged states and AI supply chain actors to unite around agreed red lines and establish robust safety guarantees. Turk also criticised deaths in US immigration detention and Russian use of autonomous drones.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:39 WIB
Natuna residents donate land to the Indonesian Navy on Midai Island
Residents of Natuna Regency in the Riau Islands have donated a 1,020-square-metre plot of land on Midai Island to the Indonesian Navy. The land, handed over symbolically last Friday, will be used to develop the Midai Naval Post, strengthening maritime security in an area frequently traversed by foreign vessels and fishing boats.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:39 WIB
Bandung Airport Reopens After Anak Krakatau Ash Disrupts Flights
Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung resumed operations early on 8 September 2026 after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced a temporary closure. Operator InJourney Airports cleared ash from the runway, taxiway and apron and carried out friction tests confirming the pavement met safety standards. During the disruption, many passengers switched to rail services, including the Whoosh high-speed train, while airlines offered rescheduling and refunds.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:38 WIB
Twitter Renamed Tweet.app: What's the Reason?
Startup Operation Bluebird has renamed its new social media platform from Twitter.now to Tweet.app after a Delaware district court ruled it may not yet use the Twitter name. Judge Colm F Connolly found the term 'tweet' and the blue bird logo were fair game since X Corporation abandoned them, but the Twitter name itself remains off-limits to avoid consumer confusion. The case continues as Operation Bluebird seeks to wrest the Twitter trademark from Elon Musk's X Corp.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:38 WIB
President Aoun backs extension of UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declared Beirut's support for extending the mandate of the UN interim force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, whilst welcoming a French-Italian initiative to maintain an international presence after the mission ends. France and Italy announced plans in June for a coalition to prevent a security vacuum once UNIFIL's mandate expires at the end of 2026.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:37 WIB
Corruption Trial Hears How Ex-Religion Ministry Honorary Staffer Splurged on Range Rover and Luxury Bags
Prosecutors at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) presented seized evidence from former Religious Affairs Ministry honorary employee Ridwan Kurniawan during a trial over alleged corruption in the 2023–2024 additional hajj quota scheme. The items included a Honda BRV, a Range Rover, luxury handbags and a diamond bracelet, with state losses estimated at Rp622 billion. Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is among the defendants in the case.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:36 WIB
Be Wary: Extreme Heat Can Raise the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
Cardiologist Dr Ade Imasanti Sapardan has warned that extreme heat and air pollution place additional strain on the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain, particularly among vulnerable groups. Speaking at a Yayasan Cerah webinar, she explained that heat widens blood vessels and accelerates dehydration, which can trigger heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmias, while fine PM2.5 particulate pollution acts as a 'silent cardiovascular stressor'.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:35 WIB
KONE Indonesia Sets New Industry Benchmark as First to Achieve Platinum Green Product Certification
KONE has become the first and only elevator and escalator company in Indonesia to receive the Platinum Green Label from the Green Product Council Indonesia (GPCI), the highest sustainability certification under GPCI's latest framework. The certification recognises circular economy practices such as recycled materials and responsible end-of-life product management. The milestone reflects growing demand among Indonesian developers and investors for green building technologies supporting the country's sustainable urban development goals.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:35 WIB
NTT Yet to Fully Recover from Earthquake, Sido Muncul Channels Another Rp510 Million in Aid
PT Sido Muncul has distributed a further Rp510 million to support communities in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) recovering from the Flores earthquake. The aid, handed over by Chief Executive Irwan Hidayat, benefits parishes, educational institutions, indigenous communities and health organisations. It follows an earlier Rp400 million donation channelled through BPOM and the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:34 WIB
Zelenskyy: US Explores Efforts to Ease Winter War Escalation
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States is exploring steps to de-escalate the Russia-Ukraine war during winter while reviving broader peace negotiations. He said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reported that Russia is ready to negotiate, though its battlefield actions suggest otherwise. Kyiv hopes to use September and October, including the UN General Assembly, to reinvigorate diplomacy.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:33 WIB
First Green Transition Stock: A Look at TOBA's Profile and Latest Performance
PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk (TOBA) has become the first Indonesian company to receive the Green Equity Transition designation from the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The firm, historically a coal business, is pivoting towards waste management, renewable energy and electric mobility, though it posted a net loss of Rp337.9 billion in the first half of 2026.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:31 WIB
Mineral Downstreaming Seen as Key to National Economic Sovereignty
Strengthening mineral downstreaming is viewed as a strategic step to ensure Indonesia's natural resource wealth delivers greater added value to the national economy. Hatta Ridho, Dean of Social and Political Sciences at USU, said processing minerals domestically rather than exporting raw materials will expand domestic economic benefits, as reflected in the integrated ecosystem built by MIND ID members including ANTAM, Bukit Asam, INALUM and TIMAH.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:30 WIB
BPS Still Studying Revision of Indonesia's Poverty Standard
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) says it is still conducting in-depth studies to refine the methodology for calculating the national poverty line, covering both food and non-food components, including a possible shift to a 2024 base year and an expanded 57-commodity food basket. The agency stresses that the formula, parameters and implementation timeline have not been finalised, as any changes must preserve data comparability and incorporate expert input. The current poverty line stands at Rp3,091,866 per household per month, which CSIS economist Deni Friawan argues is too low and reflects mere survival needs rather than a decent standard of living.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:30 WIB
Puan on Forest Fire Land Becoming Palm Plantations: It Must Be Investigated
DPR Speaker Puan Maharani has called for an investigation into allegations that land affected by forest and land fires has been converted into palm oil plantations. President Prabowo Subianto earlier demanded the National Police Chief hand over a list of corporations involved in the fires, after police named 138 suspects and froze or revoked permits for 42 companies.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:30 WIB
Will Mount Anak Krakatau's Eruptions Grow Larger? Here's What the Geological Agency Says
The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has maintained Mount Anak Krakatau at Level III (Alert) status with a recommended 3-kilometre exclusion radius, indicating a high potential for eruption. The agency cautioned that increased activity cannot be concluded from a single eruption or circulating videos, but is based on multiple monitoring parameters. It also noted that the volcano's rebuilt body remains relatively small and does not currently have the potential to collapse on a scale that could trigger a tsunami.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:30 WIB
The Threat Behind Private Satellites and AI: Earth Surveillance Grows Ever More Sophisticated — Is Privacy at Risk?
A recent OECD report highlights how the convergence of advanced satellite networks, optical systems and artificial intelligence has democratised Earth observation data whilst introducing risks to privacy, national security and disinformation. Satellite imagery carries dual-use concerns, as the same data used to track illegal fishing can also monitor military movements. Industry experts note that governments now demand sovereign yet cost-effective Earth observation systems, with AI playing a vital role in processing vast volumes of satellite imagery.
Tue, 08 Sep 2026, 12:29 WIB
Three districts in Langkat inundated by floods
Heavy and continuous rainfall since Monday caused rivers to overflow and protective embankments to breach, flooding three districts in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The local disaster agency BPBD reports more than 1,000 households affected in Padang Tualang alone, with emergency teams deployed and evacuation prepared.