Sleman Regency Government Prepares Mitigation Scenario If Mount Merapi Eruptions Large-Scale

Mount Merapi on the border of DI Yogyakarta and Central Java. (Between)

DIY - The Sleman Regency Government has prepared a scenario to deal with the possibility of Mount Merapi experiencing a large-scale eruption.

"We cannot underestimate nature. Even though at this time according to the recommendations from the BPPTKG the distance is safe in the southern region of five kilometers and west at seven kilometers, but if the status is increasing, we have prepared a scenario," said Sleman Regent Kustini Sri Purnomo in a statement in Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region Province (DIY), Tuesday, March 28, quoted by Antara.

He said the local government prioritized the evacuation of residents in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and women in the Disaster Prone Area (KRB) III in the event of an increase in the activity of Mount Merapi.

KRB III covers areas of Kelurahan Kepuharjo, Umbulharjo, Glagaharjo, Hargobinangun, Purwobinangun, Girikerto, and Wonokerto.

BPBD Sleman and other relevant agencies have checked the readiness of vehicles to support the evacuation of residents from these urban villages when Merapi's volcanic activity increases.

"Vehicles for mobility in each region already exist. Starting from trucks, pickups, there are private cars and two-wheeled vehicles, all of them are on standby," said Kustini.

In addition, he said, there were at least 40 barracks and other facilities prepared for residents who needed shelter in an emergency.

"The main evacuation barracks and buffers are ready, the logistics needs from the public kitchen are also ready in the event of an emergency, and all volunteers from Tagana are also ready," he said.

He said residents in the KRB III area had routinely scheduled patrols to monitor the situation and conditions.

"Keep the night going. Intensive communication regarding mountain observations if there is anything, it will be reported immediately. Tonight's Ronda has been done consciously for a long time if there are signs from Merapi without any order," he said.

In addition, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sleman strengthened the government's mitigation capacity and the community in seven urban villages on the slopes of Mount Merapi.

Head of BPBD Sleman Makwan said efforts to strengthen mitigation capacity targeted seven urban villages in three villages or sub-districts closest to Mount Merapi.

Kelurahan yang menjadi sasaran penguatan kapasitas mitigasi meliputi Kepuharjo, Umbulharjo, dan Glagaharjo di Kapanewon Cangkringan, Kelurahan Hargobinangun dan Purwobinangun di Kapanewon Pakem, serta Kelurahan Girikerto dan Wonokerto di Kapanewon Turi.

"The seven urban villages are also included in areas located in the Mount Merapi III Disaster-Prone Area," he said in Sleman.