Mount Sinabung Status Raised to Alert Level

Mount Sinabung, located in Ndokum Siroga Village, Simpang Empat District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, erupted on Monday (31/08/2026) at approximately 10:17 WIB. The ash column reached a height of 3,500 metres above the peak, or 5,960 metres above sea level.

“A black ash column approximately 3,500 metres above the peak was observed with thick intensity, moving towards the east and southeast,” stated the Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berton Panjaitan, in a written statement.

Berton noted that following the eruption, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) officially raised the status of Mount Sinabung from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Siaga). Mount Sinabung last experienced an eruption in 2022.

“The status increase took effect on Monday (31/08/2026) at 12:30 WIB, based on visual and instrumental monitoring results showing increased volcanic activity. The Level II (Alert) status had been in place since 17 May 2023,” he explained.

According to Berton, this eruption is considered an initial event, and there remains a potential for larger eruptions. Consequently, the public is urged to increase vigilance and follow all recommendations issued by the PVMBG.

“Prior to the eruption on 31 August 2026 at 10:17 WIB, a series of tremors were recorded, including 85 volcanic earthquakes, 1 inflation earthquake, and 1 harmonic tremor,” he added.

Berton Panjaitan advised the public, visitors, and tourists to avoid activities in villages that have already been relocated, as well as locations within a 3 km radius of the Mount Sinabung peak, and a 6 km radius for the southern-eastern sector.

“Residents living near rivers originating from Mount Sinabung must remain vigilant against the danger of lahars,” he elaborated.

He also reminded those living around Mount Sinabung to remain calm and not be provoked by rumours regarding the eruption, and to constantly follow the directions provided by the North Sumatra Provincial BPBD and the Karo Regency BPBD.

“Local governments, including the Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) of North Sumatra Province and Karo Regency, are requested to continue actively coordinating with the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post,” he concluded.