Mount Merapi Activity Still Safe for Residents, Sleman Official Says
- ANTARA FOTO
VIVA – Even though Mount Merapi still shows an increase in volcanic activity, the situation is still safe. So, people don’t have to panic, according to the regent of Sleman, Yogyakarta Province, Kustini Sri Purnomo has asked.
“However, it’s necessary to be careful and remain vigilant during the Mount Merapi eruption, which has occurred since March 11 (2023),” Purnomo stated in Sleman on Monday.
She explained that the current activity recorded on Mount Merapi is different from the eruption in 2010. Mount Merapi is currently showing increased volcanic activity but is still on alert status. “This means high volcanic activity, but still within the recommended zone radius.”
Since the condition is still safe, she asked the public not to panic and prepare for an escalation of danger, which would be marked by hot clouds sliding further past the recommended zone.
Ilustrasi - Foto udara kondisi puncak Gunung Merapi.
- ANTARA
"The Sleman district government and the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) have prepared evacuation teams down to the neighborhood level and urban villages," Purnomo remarked.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of Sleman BPBD, Makwan, said that his team has prepared an evacuation team along with vehicles owned independently and supported by the regional government.
"Besides preparing evacuation team and evacuation vehicles, Sleman BPBD has also prepared evacuation routes, evacuation signs, and evacuation posts," Makwan said.
If the condition is very bad and is considered dangerous for the community, he said his party will send a siren warning signal.
"These warning signs have been prepared at 36 points scattered in Disaster Prone Areas (KRB) III, which are close to residential areas and equipped with Early Warning System (EWS) officers," he said.
For now, residents don’t need to evacuate, he added. However, if the situation becomes more serious, residents will be gathered at the evacuation point that has been mutually agreed upon first. “Then, the community will be guided by the evacuation team to the evacuation site,"
Sleman BPBD has prepared 32 evacuation sites in three sub-districts namely Turi, Cangkringan, and Pakem, which are spread over seven hamlets, Makwan stated.
