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)