Inp.polri.go.id - Manado. The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG) has advised residents to be on alert for possible pyroclastic flows from Mount Karangetang on Siau Island, North Sulawesi. Pyroclastic flow refers to a dense, destructive mass of very hot ash, lava fragments and gases that is explosively ejected from a volcano and typically flows downhill at high speed. Hendra Gunawan, the Head of PVMBG, said that the caution of possible pyroclastic flows was due to the presence of old lava domes on the summit that could collapse simultaneously with the lava discharge, antaranews.com reported. Local communities residing in the vicinity or traversing valleys and rivers were urged to remain vigilant and wear masks to prevent respiratory problems. The potential for mudflows during rainfall from the river flowing from the summit of the volcano should also be considered a hazard. The visual, instrumental and potential threat of eruptive activity at Mount Karangetang remains high, placed on alert level, despite a relative decrease in recent reports of landslide seismic activity since the first effusive eruption in February 2023. Under this alert level, community members, visitors and tourists were prohibited from engaging in activities or entering an area within a radius of 2.5 kilometers from the main crater in the south and secondary crater in the north, and 3.5 kilometres in the southwest, south and southeast sectors. Hendra stressed the importance of remaining calm, avoiding false reports about the eruption of Mount Karangetang, and following the instructions of the North Sulawesi Provincial Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the Sitaro District Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). (mg/inp/pr/nm)