Merapi slope still safe, no reason for panic: district head

Besides preparing evacuation team and evacuation vehicles, Sleman BPBD has also prepared evacuation routes, evacuation signs, and evacuation posts.

Sleman, Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - Although Mount Merapi has shown increased activity in the past two days, the situation is still safe, so there is no reason for people to panic, the head of Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, has assured.

"However, it is necessary to be careful and remain vigilant during the Mount Merapi eruption, which has occurred since March 11 (2023),” Kustini Sri Purnomo said in Sleman on Monday.

She informed 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," Purnomo explained.

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.

"The Sleman district government and the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) have prepared evacuation teams down to the neighborhood level and urban villages," she said.

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," he added.

If the condition worsens 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 do not 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," he said.

Sleman BPBD has prepared 32 evacuation sites in three sub-districts namely Turi, Cangkringan, and Pakem, which are spread over seven hamlets, he said.

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