YUNUS Sitepu was at home watching television when a commotion broke the stillness of the night at Kutarakyat village at the end of November last year. The 40-year-old initially paid no mind to the unusual hubbub occurring in his village located on the slopes of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra's Karo Regency. He heard what sounded like heavy rain on the roof of his house.

After turning off the television, Yunus edged his way out the terrace of the