Merapi Siaga, 1,294 Vulnerable Groups Evacuated

Evacuation place for residents (photo: BNPB)

JAKARTA - Kapusdatinkom Disaster National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Raditya Jati said that 1,294 villagers were evacuated due to the status of Mount Merapi in a state of alert or level III.

The BNPB Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) noted that residents who were evacuated to several points in four districts, namely Boyolali Regency with 133 people, Magelang 835 people, Klaten 123 people, and Sleman 203 people.

"Most of those who were evacuated are vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, toddlers, pregnant women, with disabilities and breastfeeding mothers," Raditya said in his statement, Thursday, November 12.

Raditya said, food and drink needs are available for residents in the shelter. There are volunteers who help in the provision of raw materials such as vegetables, and cooks who are processed in soup kitchens or field kitchen cars.

"During the preparedness period, BPBD continues to evaluate the challenges faced when conditions become increasingly critical, such as evacuation routes and transportation, communication routes and equipment, as well as the implementation of health protocols during the evacuation process and in shelters," explained Raditya.

Furthermore, the Research and Development Center for Geological Disaster Technology recommends that mining be stopped in rivers that originate on Mount Merapi in the Disaster Prone Area (KRB) III.

"Tourism actors should not carry out tourism activities at KRB III Mount Merapi, including climbing to the top of the mountain," he said.

Previously, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, asked all parties to be alert and alert regarding the direction of Mount Merapi's eruption which is predicted to be in the Southeast and West.

"There are all the scenarios, so if the direction is to Magelang, Magelang is ready, so yesterday I saw all three in Klaten, Boyolali, Magelang, everything must be ready," said Ganjar.

Preparedness also includes facing the scenario of hot cloud glide from the eruption of Mount Merapi which is said to be heading to certain areas due to winds.

All components, continued Ganjar, must be ready to use each existing scenario because current predictions may change.

"If the (prediction) direction was yesterday between Yogyakarta and Klaten, Kendal, I only remind you, uh, first, you know. That never fits the scenario, you know, this is Gusti Allah's scenario, so everyone must be alert," he said.