Mount Marapi Alarms Local People

Bukittinggi (Antara Bali) - Mount Marapi in the border area of the regencies of  Tanahdatar  and  Agam  of West Sumatra  spewed thick volcanic ashes on Tuesday morning causing alarm to local people.

For about ten minutes the  volcano, 2,890 meters above the sea level, poured out thick black ashes  to soar high around 1,000 meters above its peak.

The ashes were sent to the sky  before falling  on number of nearby villages including  Jorong Limo Kampuang, Nagari Sungaipua,in the regency of Agam.

Suparmo, an official of the local  Volcanology Center asked the local people to remain on guard. The Volcanology Center warned people to stay away from the volcano  and climbers are not allowed.

He said the volcano has shown signs of increased activities since August  last year. (IGT/T007)