Mount Merapi Sprays Lava, Magelang Residents, Klaten And Boyolali Asked To Be Alert

Police Officers and Rescue Team take care/ Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

Mount Merapi shows an increase in activity. The mountain, which is located in the provinces of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, emitted hot clouds sliding towards Bebeng - Krasak, Yogyakarta since Saturday, March 11.

Lava flows were also observed to occur once with a sliding distance of 1,500 meters to the southwest.

"There was a hot cloud of avalanches in Merapi on March 11, 2023 at 12.12 WIB," said the information from the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), through a statement received.

Regarding the activities of Mount Merapi, the Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes Pol M Iqbal Alqudusy, asked the community, especially in the Magelang, Klaten and Boyolali areas to be careful. He asked all community activities around Mount Merapi, especially at a radius of 7 km, to be stopped.

"Both mountain climbing, tourism and sand mining activities. We ask that they be stopped immediately and residents should immediately shift to safer locations," said the Head of Public Relations, Sunday, March 12.

The Central Java Regional Police, he continued, had coordinated with BPBD and prepared personnel to be mobilized if needed at any time.

Regarding the eruption of Mount Merapi, the Head of Humas revealed that the Central Java Police issued a number of appeals so that people are safe and not seriously affected by the eruption of the highest mountain in Central Java.

"First, prepare masks and protective glasses to deal with volcanic ash. Second, knowing the evacuation and shelter routes that have been prepared by the government. Third, prepare individual logistics, including ready-to-eat food, flashlights and spare batteries, sufficient cash and medicines," he explained.

Furthermore, the Central Java Regional Police also appealed to the public not to be in the recommended locations to be vacated, including climbers and sand miners.

In addition, the community is asked not to be in valleys or watersheds because it has the potential to be hit by cold lava in the event of rain.

"Finally, we urge residents to wear closed clothes that protect the body such as, long sleeves, trousers, and hats," he said.

"Don't be easily consumed by hoax news and always obey the recommendations given by the government, TNI and Polri officers and other competent parties," added the Head of Humas.