- Title: INDONESIA: Villagers who live near volcano return home despite warning
- Date: 1st September 2010
- Summary: MORE OF CHILDREN WEARING FACE MASK (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) STUDENT, RIZKY, SAYING: "I have to wear mask to stay healthy."
- Embargoed: 16th September 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
- Reuters ID: LVAEH0SPJMM29Y81VAE8936R54BL
- Story Text: Ignoring warnings that another eruption could come at anytime, Indonesian villagers were back in their homes on the slopes of Mount Sinabung on Tuesday (August 31) although the volcano was still spewing hot gas clouds.
esidents of Perteguhen village from leaving shelters and heading home.
Clouds from Monday's (August 30) burst had reached a length of two kilometres (1.5 miles) and caused ash rains in nearby villages.
But residents of Perteguhen village were keen to leave the shelter, believing that wearing a face mask was sufficient in preventing respiratory problems.
"I don't wear the mask indoors, but I always wear it outdoors," said Ainun Nasution, a farmer.
She, like many villagers thought the eruption would not worsen.
Some schools have reopened and students have resumed classes.
"I have to wear mask to stay healthy," said a student, Rizky.
Officials are distributing masks for free to people on the streets, encouraging them to wear the mask to prevent respiratory problems.
Head of Indonesia's Vulcanology Center, Surono, said that the evacuation mandate has been passed since Monday and warned those staying near the volcano to keep away.
"Although the people are wearing face masks, I've warned them not to get close to the volcano. It is dangerous. I have told the head of the Karo district, the leaves and grass can be harmful to people's health. Volcanos release phosphate, iron, silica and manganese. I will call the farmers not to use the grass and leaves to feed the livestock," said Surono.
On Tuesday ome cattle and livestock were still seen eating leaves and grass in the villages.
Surano told Reuters that it was impossible to know when the eruptions would stop, but it was unlikely that volcanic dust would drift to neighbouring countries.
"I have contacted the VOAC (Volcanic Ashes Advisory Center) in Darwin and I have asked them for satellite photos and potential wind flow. It is not dangerous for air travel, because if there is a threat, Darwin has to warned company airlines, globally," he said.
Indonesia is on the so-called Pacific Rim of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and geological fault lines triggering frequent earthquakes around the Pacific Basin. The Mount Sinabung eruption triggered the highest red volcano alert. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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