Merapi lava warning

Merapi lava warning

YOGYAKARTA: The authorities are warning people living at the foot of Mt. Merapi of an impending lava flood after rain pounded the volcano's peak recently, Antara reported.

The chief of the Merapi Monitoring Office in Yogyakarta, Mas Atje Purbawinata, said he estimated that there could be as much as two million cubic meters of lava piled up in the volcano's crater ready to descend anytime.

Mas Atje said some of the volcanic material has already found its way down the Boyong and Bebeng rivers.

He said quarrying for volcanic building materials along the two rivers has actually helped to ensure that the rivers are deep enough to prevent lava floods. At least so far. (emb)