Mount Sinabung Alert Level Raised to Siaga
Karo (ANTARA) - Mount Sinabung in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, has seen its status raised from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Siaga) following an increase in volcanic activity and eruptions that produced an ash column approximately 3,500 metres high from the mountain’s peak.
According to Special Report No. 1441.Lap/GL.03/BGL/2026 from the Geological Agency received in Karo on Monday, the agency established the status increase effective Monday (31/8) at 12:30 WIB, after Mount Sinabung experienced an eruption at 10:17 WIB.
The eruption ash column reached approximately 3,500 metres above the peak, or about 5,960 metres above sea level (mdpl).
Increased activity was also indicated by Mount Sinabung’s seismicity. On 3rad August 2026, 85 volcanic earthquakes, one inflation earthquake, and one harmonic tremor were recorded.
The Geological Agency stated that this eruption was an initial eruption, meaning there remains a possibility of larger eruptions occurring.
With the status rising to Level III (Siaga), residents, visitors, and tourists are requested not to engage in any activities in villages that have already been relocated.
Members of the public are also prohibited from conducting activities within a three-kilometre radius of the peak of Mount Sinabung, as well as within a sectoral radius of six kilometres in the south-southeast sector.
In addition to the threat of eruption, residents living near rivers originating from Mount Sinabung are urged to increase vigilance against the potential for lava floods.
The Geological Agency has advised the public to remain calm and not to be provoked by unverified information or issues regarding Mount Sinabung’s activity.
The public is requested to follow the directions of the North Sumatra Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Karo Regency BPBD.
Local governments, including the North Sumatra and Karo Regency BPBDs, are also requested to continue active coordination with the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post in Ndokum Siroga Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency.
Developments in Mount Sinabung’s activity can be monitored through the MAGMA Indonesia application as well as the official channels of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Geological Agency.
Evaluations of Mount Sinabung’s activity levels will be conducted periodically or as needed should significant changes in activity occur.
Residents around Mount Sinabung are expected to remain calm, increase vigilance, and comply with all directions from the authorities for collective safety.