PGMBG: Mount Rinjani has been on Alert status since 2015

The Volcanic Monitoring and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PGKS) Nusa Tenggara has stated that Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been at Level II or ‘Alert’ status since 2015.

The Head of PGMBG Nusa Tenggara, Juliana Runambi, noted that this alert status has persisted for a significant period, spanning roughly 11 years.

“We urge hikers and the communities living around Mount Rinjani to always adhere to our hazard recommendations, which is to stay 1.5 kilometres away from the centre of the crater, currently located at Mount Barujari,” she stated in a briefing in Mataram on Monday.

Mount Rinjani is one of the volcanoes within the monitoring zone of PGMBG Nusa Tenggara. Standing at 3,726 metres above sea level, the mountain is administratively located across three regencies: East Lombok, Central Lombok, and North Lombok.

According to Runambi, compliance with hazard recommendations and standard operating procedures (SOP) for climbing is a vital component in ensuring personal safety while conducting activities in the Mount Rinjani area.

Mount Rinjani is a highly significant area on Lombok Island, serving as a primary tourist destination frequently visited by both domestic and international travellers.

Since 1 September 2024, trekking tourism in the Mount Rinjani area has been opened on a limited basis to prevent wildfires caused by the impact of a prolonged dry season.

The Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) office stated that online booking services via the eRinjani application have been temporarily suspended until fire risk conditions are declared safe for reopening.