Mount Sinabung on Alert: 176 Police Personnel Deployed to Secure Residents
Mount Sinabung in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, has been placed on Level III (Alert) status following an eruption on Monday (31/8). The Indonesian National Police (Polri) have mobilised 176 personnel to ensure security in the affected areas.
Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Karo Public Relations Division of the National Police, stated that public safety is the top priority in response to the increased volcanic activity. The police are working in collaboration with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), and the local government.
“To avoid casualties, we urge the public to remain calm, avoid panic, follow all instructions from police personnel and joint teams on the ground, and refrain from entering zones declared dangerous. Public safety is our primary priority,” Trunoyudo said in a statement on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
The 176 personnel deployed from the North Sumatra Regional Police consist of 92 Brimob (Mobile Brigade) officers, 80 Samapta (General Patrol) officers, and 4 medical team members. The overall joint task force is further strengthened by 500 TNI personnel and 50 officials from the Karo Regency Government.
Trunoyudo explained that personnel have been stationed at strategic points to regulate resident mobility, support evacuation processes, and provide healthcare services.
Following the status upgrade, relevant authorities have established a safety radius of up to 6 kilometres from the centre of the volcano’s activity. Trunoyudo warned of the risk of volcanic material being ejected within a 3-kilometre radius.
Two areas, namely Payung Village and Kuta Tengah Village, are identified as being at risk of being impacted by pyroclastic flows. As a precautionary measure, the Lau Kawar tourist area and local vineyards have been temporarily closed.
“The Police, together with the TNI, local government, BPBD, and related agencies, continue to conduct monitoring and sterilisation of areas that pose a potential danger,” he explained.
In addition to area security, the police and joint teams are undertaking several emergency measures to mitigate the impact of volcanic ash. These include spraying roads, distributing 15,000 masks, and suspending school activities.
“Measures include the distribution of 15,000 masks to the community, a two-day school closure in affected areas, the preparation of healthcare services, the provision of field kitchens, the distribution of logistics, and the preparation of evacuation routes and vehicles,” said Trunoyudo.
Furthermore, Trunoyudo warned the public to only rely on official information from the PVMBG, BPBD, and field officers. He requested that residents do not easily believe unverified news circulating on social media.
“We ask the public not to easily believe unverified information. Do not spread news that could cause panic. Follow the instructions of officers and move immediately to safe locations if an evacuation order is issued,” he urged.
As of now, no casualties have been reported due to Mount Sinabung’s activity. Based on visual monitoring on Tuesday (1/9) afternoon, the volcanic crater is still emitting greyish-white smoke at a height of 50–600 metres, moving towards the south-east.