YOGYAKARTA (BPN) – The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has raised the status of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, from Normal (level I) to Caution (level II) on Monday night, after a string of phreatic eruptions and followed by earthquakes.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Head of Data and Information Center of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) explained, there have been four phreatic eruptions from Monday, May 21 to Tuesday, May 22 at 3:30 a.m, causing volcanic ash fall in some areas in Yogyakarta.
Following this notice, residents within 3-kilometers radius from the top of Mount Merapi should be emptied and hiking activities are temporarily prohibited except for volcanic investigation and research activities related to disaster mitigation.
“Since last night some people have evacuated themselves to safer places, the number of evacuees continues to grow, and Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has distributed aid,” Sutopo said.
