Central Java Governor Orders Increased Status for Two Active Volcanoes

Semarang, C Java (Antara) - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo ordered his entire staff to be heedful to the increase in the status of Mount Merapi and Mount Slamet. "I have ordered all my staff members to be on standby, and hopefully, the people at Mount Merapi and Mount Slamet can be more prepared, besides, we have the requisite experience in handling such a disaster," Ganjar claimed in Semarang on Thursday. The governor has also requested the people living in proximity to Mount Merapi and Mount Slamet to avoid panicking in the face of a likely eruption. "We will continuously provide information through the Central Java's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) about the activities of both the volcanoes," noted Ganjar. Ganjar also emphasized that in the near future, the Central Java's government will fix the defected volcano eruption evacuation route, which incurred damages from heavy material excavation machinery that used the same route. Earlier, Chief Executive of the Central Java's Regional Disaster Management Agency Sarwa Pramana remarked that the evacuation route needed urgent repairs, as its current condition is a matter of concern. Earlier, the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development (BPPTKG) of Yogyakarta announced an increase in the status of Mount Merapi from "Normal" to "Alert" on Tuesday, April 29. The status increase was also imposed for Mount Slamet, from "Alert" to "Standby" since Wednesday, April 30, at 10:00 p.m. (GMT+07:00). (*)