Volcanoes often speak in slow warnings before they erupt in full voice. Smoke rises quietly above the mountain, ash drifts across villages like gray rain, and communities living nearby begin listening more carefully to the earth beneath their feet. In North Maluku, the activity of Mount Dukono once again reminded residents that nature can alter daily life with little notice, leaving evacuation efforts to unfold with urgency but also steady coordination.

The Indonesian Army, known as TNI AD, moved quickly to assist evacuation operations following renewed volcanic activity at Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency. Military personnel worked alongside local disaster agencies, police officers, medical teams, and volunteers to help residents relocate from areas considered vulnerable to ash exposure and potential volcanic hazards.

Authorities reported that Mount Dukono continued releasing volcanic ash columns reaching significant heights above the crater. Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation maintained alerts for surrounding communities while urging residents and visitors to avoid entering designated danger zones near the volcano. Dukono remains among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes and has experienced persistent eruptions over many years.

Military trucks and emergency vehicles were deployed to assist transportation efforts for affected residents, including elderly villagers, children, and individuals requiring medical support. Temporary shelters were prepared with food supplies, clean water, blankets, and healthcare assistance as authorities monitored developments around the volcano. Local officials emphasized that evacuation measures were designed primarily as precautionary protection.

For many families living near Dukono, volcanic activity forms part of a difficult but familiar reality. Communities around North Halmahera have long adapted to periodic ashfall affecting homes, schools, transportation, and agriculture. Farmers often face interrupted harvests, while flights in eastern Indonesia occasionally experience disruption due to volcanic ash clouds drifting through regional airspace.

The rapid deployment by TNI AD reflected Indonesia’s broader disaster response framework, where military forces frequently assist civilian agencies during earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. In remote regions such as North Maluku, logistical support from the armed forces can become especially important because of limited transportation infrastructure and difficult terrain.

Officials also encouraged residents to wear masks and protect water supplies from ash contamination. Health authorities warned that prolonged exposure to volcanic ash may affect respiratory conditions, particularly among children and older adults. Monitoring teams continue observing seismic activity and crater emissions around Mount Dukono as conditions evolve.

As evacuation operations continue, authorities said coordination between emergency agencies remains active to ensure the safety of affected communities. No major casualties had been officially reported at the time of the latest updates, while monitoring efforts remain ongoing around the volcano.

AI Image Disclaimer: Some visuals accompanying this report were created using AI-generated imagery for editorial illustration purposes.

Sources: Antara News, BNPB Indonesia, Kompas