Sleman Establishes Emergency Response Status For Merapi Cold Lava Flood

ILLUSTRATION/DOCUMENTATION ANTARA

SLEMAN - The Regent of Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region Kustini Sri Purnomo has declared an emergency response status for the cold lava flood or the rain lava of Mount Merapi to follow up on the handling of the rainy lava flood disaster that hit on Wednesday, December 1.

"We have declared the emergency response status for the Mount Merapi flood, lava rain, as a quick measure to take action," said Kustini Sri Purnomo in Sleman, quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 4.

This natural incident resulted in damage to the clean water pipe network along the river upstream of Mount Merapi which was used by residents in four villages in Sleman.

"The determination of the emergency response status is through the Decree of the Sleman Regent number 72/Kep.KDH/A/2021 concerning the emergency response to the Mount Merapi lava rain disaster," he said.

According to Kustini, the emergency response status was set from December 2 to December 15, 2021. The policy was taken after going through a coordination meeting related to the handling of the residents' clean water network which was cut off due to rain and lava floods.

"With this decision, it is hoped that Kustini will be able to accelerate the handling of disasters in the rain and lava flood," he said.

The Regent said that later on, repairing the damaged clean water network would use the Unexpected Expenditure Budget (BTT) post.

"How many needs are used. Currently, it is still being calculated for the real needs," he said.

Regarding the residents' need for clean water, the Sleman Regency Government has carried out water drops at several points. This is done while waiting for the repair of the water pipe network so that it can be used again.

"Dropping water has been carried out in the Villages of Hargobinangun, Umbulharjo, and Glagaharjo. Most of the residents in those places get clean water from the damaged pipe network," he said.

Kustini said his party asked the community around the slopes of Mount Merapi to be aware of the dangers of cold lava from Mount Merapi.

"Meanwhile, do not approach the rivers upstream of Mount Merapi until the situation is completely safe," he said.