Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - The West Sumatra Office of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) on Monday distributed aid packages to residents affected by Mount Marapi's cold lava eruption in Padang Panjang city as well as Agam and Tanah Datar districts.
The aid packages comprised 100 blankets, 200 sarongs, 100 packs of hygiene kits, 50 tarpaulins, and 200 rubber gloves, said Aristo Munandar, head of the PMI's West Sumatra Office, in Lubuk Basung, the capital of Agam district.
Besides the aid, the PMI-West Sumatra Office has also sent two water trucks to provide clean water to affected residents, he said.
Four more water trucks from PMI have been sent to West Sumatra from North Sumatra to join the humanitarian mission, he informed, adding that PMI personnel are continuing to serve those in need of help in affected areas.
Mount Marapi first erupted on December 3, 2023, around 2:54 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The eruption reportedly left 75 hikers trapped on the slopes of the volcano.
The volcano erupted again on January 6 around 8:45 p.m. local time.
On Saturday evening (May 11), cold lava flow from Mount Marapi and landslides were recorded in several parts of Agam and Tanah Datar districts as well as Padang Panjang city, killing at least 41 people.
The catastrophe caused serious damage to many residences and businesses, as well as public facilities in the affected areas. The disaster also severely damaged several road sections, including the one near Anai Valley's waterfall, which resulted in the disruption of the mobility of people and goods between Padang and Bukittinggi.
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To serve students affected by Mount Marapi's cold lava floods and landslides in several parts of West Sumatra over the weekend, Andalas University has launched an online learning initiative.
The online learning will be effective from May 13 to May 17, Andalas University (Unand) rector Efa Yonnedi announced in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province, on Monday.