Sleman, Yogyakara (Antara) - Mount Merapi in Sleman District, located at the border of Yogyakarta Special Municipalities and Central Java Province, has a phreatic eruption again on early Thursday at 2:56 a.m. local time, mitigation agency asked vulnerable refugees, such as elderly and toddlers, to remain staying in shelter.
"Some vulnerable people, such as elderly and toddlers, are asked to stay in the shelter since the last few days," noted Makwan, head of Sleman's Emergency and Logistic of Disaster Mitigation Office here on Thursday.
Mount Merapi had been erupting phreaticly since May 11, that was triggered by groundwater flashing to steam as it is heated by magma. Since then, the eruptions occur frequently until the National Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center issued an alert warning.
Those vulnerable people were brought to some local's hall and head of villages' house that located in safe distance from the top of Mount Merapi, or about 8 kilometers away, such as in Glagaharjo Village and Cangkringan Village.
"At present, logistic needs are still enough for the refugees," Makwan said.
Mount Merapi's phreatic on early Thursday had a 60 milometer maximum amplitude, a 6 thousand meter height smoke column, and a 4 minutes duration.
"The eruption was heard from all of Mount Merapi's monitoring posts," he added.
The Yogyakarta's Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Office had issued an alert warning since last week, while at present Mount Merapi is still covered with smoke.
The Mitigation Office had also asked people live around Mount Merapi to remain calm and live as usual, while staying alert. People were also asked to wear mask, eyeglasses, jacket, hat, and shoes when using cars or motorbikes.
More importantly, people were asked to pay attention to the news and information from credible sources, by following the National Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center's Twitter @BPPTKG, @StaklimJogja, @pusdalopssleman; or Facebook account : Pusdalops BPBD Kabutan Sleman; or Instagram @pusdalopssleman. (*)
