Minister Asks People Affected by Volcanic Ash to Put Masks

Yogyakarta (Antara) - Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi has reminded that residents living in areas affected by volcanic ash of Mount Kelud's eruption should put face masks to avoid inhaling the dangerous dust. "We have just witnessed so thick ash. Of course the ash was thicker in the previous days. The ash now is thicker than the one during the eruption Mount Merapi (some years ago). So, residents should always put face masks so that they would not inhale volcanic ash," the health minister said here on Sunday. The minister said her ministry always monitored the developments in Yogyakarta and in other areas affected by the impact of Mount Kelud Eruption, especially with regard to the efforts to provide health services and medication. Mount Kelud in Kediri, East Java, erupted on Thursday night last week, sending volcanic materials to its surrounding areas, causing the death of four people, the evacuation of 210 thousand villagers and the closure of seven airports. On the occasion, the minister also appreciated the decision taken by Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X to put school children on holidays. The minister made the remarks when she accompanied President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was conducting a trip to visit Mount Kelud eruption's victims in Kediri, East Java. The president and entourage were traveling by train because a number of airports were still closed after being affected by volcanic dust. The head of state, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and a number of ministers took a special train from Gambir, Central Jakarta, for a 12-hour journey to Madiun, East Java. The train is scheduled to arrive in Madiun on Sunday at 7 pm local time, and the president and the entourage will stay overnight at the Iswahjudi Air Force base complex in Madiun. On Monday morning, they will proceed to Kediri by cars. Yudhoyono are expected to visit refugee camps in Segaran village in Wates sub-district, and Nglegok village in Blitar district, as well as to a disaster mitigation command post in Simpang Lima Gumul area in Wates. On Monday evening, the president and his entourage will stay overnight in the Malang Naval base, East Java. Members of the presidential entourage include Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi, Education Minister Mohammad Nuh, and Environmental Affairs Minister Balthazar Kambuaya. On Saturday evening, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said the number of refugees decreased from 210 thousand people when the volcano erupted to around 75 thousands now. Mount Kelud erupted on Thursday evening (Feb. 13) and spewed volcanic materials such as gravel and ash amounting to 120 million to 200 million cubic meters, at a height of up to 17 km. The volcano is located in the borders of three districts, namely Kediri, Blitar and Malang, all in East Java Province. But its volcanic ash was spread to East Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java, West Java, and West Nusa Tenggara provinces. Four people were reportedly killed relating to the Kelud eruption.(*)