JAKARTA

Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, Indonesia, erupted on Sunday, spewing ash columns up to 1,000 meters high.

Armen Putra, head of the Sinabung observation team, said the first eruption occurred at 9:34 a.m. (02:34 GMT), while the second one at 12:16 p.m. (05:16 GMT).

He urged local residents to remain vigilant, considering the status of Mount Sinabung has risen to alert or level III.

"Do not carry out activities in villages that have been relocated, as well as areas within a 3-kilometer radius of the Mount Sinabung’s peak,” said Armen.

He asked residents to wear face masks, especially when going outside to reduce inhalation of ash particles, and advised them to secure clean water facilities and clean house roofs that are covered with ash to prevent them from collapsing.

"Residents should be on alert of the possible lava flow,” the official added.

*Writing by Maria Elisa Hospita from Anadolu Agency's Indonesian language service