Authorities in Indonesia say they are preparing for the worst case scenario after Mount Sinabung erupted 77 times over the weekend.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has now instructed all relevant government ministries and the Karo regency administration in North Sumatra to prepare for the worst after the volcano increased in activity, displacing 20,000 people.
Mount Sinabung volcano spews ash and lava as seen from Erajaya village in Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province, in the early early morning of January 6, 2014. About 20,000 villagers have been evacuated since authorities raised the alert status for Sinabung to the highest level in November 2013.ReutersA public bus travels between trees covered by ash from Mount Sinabung volcano at Tiga Pancur village on January 6, 2014ReutersA villager riding a motorcycle covers his face with a plastic sheet to avoid ash from Mount Sinabung volcano on January 6, 2014ReutersMount Sinabung volcano spews ash during an eruption as seen from Tiga Pancur village in Karo district, on January 6, 2014ReutersDead chilli plants are pictured covered in ash from Mount Sinabung at Sibintun village, on January 7, 2014ReutersA map showing the location of Mt Sinabung (marked with a red pin)GoogleA woman cleans the roof of her house from ash spewed from Mount Sinabung at Mardinding village in Karo district,on November 29, 2013ReutersA flower blooms as leaves are seen covered by ash from Mount Sinabung at Sukanalu village in Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province, on November 26, 2013ReutersAsh from Sinabung volcano covers trees and houses at Mardingding village in Karo district, on November 5, 2013ReutersA woman watches as Mount Sinabung spews ash, as pictured from Sibintun village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province, on November 18, 2013Children wear masks to protect against volcanic ash in the air during lessons at a school in the Berastagi village of Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province, on September 20, 2013ReutersLightning strikes as Mount Sinabung volcano spews ash and hot lava, on September 18, 2013Reuters
