20,000 live in risky areas

YOGYAKARTA: About 20,000 villagers in Sleman regency live in at least four disaster-prone areas due to volcanic activity in Yogyakarta, officials say.

"They live on the southern slopes of Mount Merapi in the subdistricts of Tempel, Turi, Pakem and Cangkringan," said Sleman Regent Ibnu Subiyanto on Wednesday.

He said his administration had allocated emergency funds in anticipation of a volcanic eruption.

However, he declined to specify the amount, but said the money "is enough for emergency assistance for around three months".

Subiyanto said it was the first time the Sleman government had allocated money for such a purpose.

With the funds, Sleman will no longer seek external assistance in handling victims of disasters. --Antara