Mount Merapi Siaga, Ganjar: Don't Panic, Pack Valuables

JAKARTA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked residents not to panic regarding the increase in the activity status of Mount Merapi from Waspada (Level II) to Alert (Level III) based on evaluation of monitoring data.

"People don't have to panic, but remain vigilant. I think the closest people must already understand this very well, only we can stay together reminding and monitoring each other. Prepare transportation and valuables so that they can be taken to the evacuation site if an eruption occurs," said Ganjar in Semarang, reported by Antara, Thursday, November 5.

Then, he instructed the BPBD and other disaster teams to continue to monitor the development of Mount Merapi in order to provide information as early as possible to the public.

Ganjar requested that all early warning systems (EWS) around Mount Merapi be alerted and monitored.

"If there is no 'EWS', then the traditional one must be prepared. I ask all government officials down to the village level to the RT / RW that are there to be ready to help their citizens," he said.

The PDI-P politician said he had received the status upgrade of Mount Merapi to Alert from a number of parties, including the Geological Agency and BMKG, so that his party sent BPBD teams to locations prone to eruption disasters, especially in Klaten, Boyolali and Magelang Regencies.

"I ask that the evacuation places be available properly by implementing health protocols. Because, currently it is still a pandemic, so the refugee camps must maintain a safe distance," he said.