More eruptions possible in Kupang

More eruptions possible in Kupang

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): A Bandung-based volcanologist
warned residents living along the slopes of Mt. Ine Like on
Saturday that more eruptions were likely.

Ngada Regent Albertus Botha said a letter from the Directorate
of Volcanology, signed by volcanologist Wirakusuma, warned the
residents to leave the area around the mountain as soon as
possible, and not to return until the area was declared safe.

So far some 6,500 residents of the villages of Naru, Menge and
Bou in the district of Ngada have been forced to leave their
homes and seek refuge in neighboring villages, after the 1,559-
meter high volcano spewed hot ash on Thursday.

The Ngada regency has opened 20 locations to house the
villagers. A site in Rowa village is currently housing almost
2,000 people and a multipurpose hall in Bajawa village 838. At
least 700 people are sheltering in the office of the Natanage
village head.

Regent Albertus said there was an adequate supply of rice for
the villagers, but there was little meat or fish. "We don't have
the funds for that." (yac/sur)