BNPB Asks Boyolali And Klaten Residents To Be Alert To The Dangers Of Wedhus Gembel Gunung Merapi

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

YOGYAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) asked residents to be aware of the dangers of lava avalanches and hot clouds aka Wedhus Gembel due to the eruption of Mount Merapi in several parts of Central Java Province (Central Java).

"The joint team continues to coordinate and collect data and monitor areas affected by the eruption of Mount Merapi," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in a BNPB press release, Monday, January 22, which was confiscated by Antara.

The eruption of Mount Merapi occurred on Sunday, January 21 at 14:12 WIB. Volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi reached Boyolali and Klaten Regencies.

Rain of volcanic ash hit the villages of Majengan and Tegalmulyo in Klaten and Selo and Cepogo districts in Boyolali Regency.

The lava fall and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can have an impact on the south-southwest sector which includes the Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers as well as the southeast sector which includes the Woro and Gendol rivers in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).

If an explosive eruption occurs, the ejection of volcanic material from Mount Merapi can have an impact on an area within a radius of 3 kilometers from the top of the mountain.

BNPB recommends the termination of mining activities in the river channel that originates at Mount Merapi in disaster-prone areas III which can be affected by hot clouds, lava flows, and rock ejections (pijar) and other volcanic materials.

In addition, tourism actors and residents are asked not to carry out activities in areas that can be affected by volcanic ash and lava from Mount Merapi.

"BNPB urges the public to remain calm and not to spread information that cannot be verified. Please always follow the directions and appeals from the local government," said Abdul.