Merapi begins to boil

SEMARANG, Central Java: The local office of the Directorate of Volcanology has reported increasing activity on Mount Merapi, an eruption of which killed 70 people late last year.

An official at the directorate said yesterday there has been increasing tremors, geo-chemical deformation and spewing of lava.

"The residents in the surrounding areas are advised to stay alert for possible danger," Chief of the Merapi Monitoring Unit Mas Atje Purbawinata warned.

He said officials should remain wary of possible lava slides, especially after it rains, and the deadly, hot volcanic ash.

"The lava is likely to be washed down in the direction of the Krasak river in the Magelang regency and the Boyong river in Yogyakarta," he said. (har/imn)