Volcano alert in Tomohon

Volcano alert in Tomohon

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Residents of Tomohon, some 25
kilometers north of Manado, are becoming increasingly alarmed due
to the increasing volcanic activity of Mt. Lokon and Mt. Mahawu.

Their anxiety has heightened following news that scientific
instrumentation to detect the volcano's activity has broken.

Lokon and Mahawu volcanoes spewed ash and lava on Feb. 4,
which subsequently led to a raise in the alert status.

"Ever since then, we haven't been able to sleep tight,
especially as we've heard that the detectors have broken down.
We're worried that once the volcanoes erupt we won't be able to
flee as there won't be a warning," said Robert, a Tomohon
resident, on Tuesday.

An officer at the volcano's control post, Yapi Rembet, told
reporters that the device broke down on Feb. 4 when it was hit by
showering lava.

"It broke devices including solar panels, a discriminator
transmitter, a seismometer and transmitter antennae. So now, we
can only observe volcano activities visually," Yapi said.

Visual observation is also difficult, he added, as the
volcanoes have been covered by thick fog.

"Hopefully within the next couple of days, conditions will
improve so we can reach the craters in order to fix our
equipment," Yapi said.

Yapi then asked residents to stay alert and not to visit the
craters. (48)