Mount Merapi's activity drops

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Mount Merapi's activity declined yesterday but residents in nearby villages were asked to remain alert for possible explosions.

The 2,968-meter-high volcano still gushed burning lava and spewed hot ash into the air but with less intensity than Wednesday, said officials monitoring Merapi's activity.

Authorities in the nearby regencies of Boyolali, Klaten and Magelang are keeping the level of danger at "stand-by alert", asking people to be prepared for evacuation.

The volcano, one of the world's most active, continued raining several subdistricts in Boyolali with fine volcanic ash.

Sunarto, an official in charge of monitoring Merapi, told The Jakarta Post that the mountain was expected to continue spewing ash for several more days.

"People should remain alert because volcanic eruption is often unpredictable," said Sugiyanto, spokesman for the Boyolali regency administration.

In Krasak, Bebeng and Boyong rivers on the slope of the smoking volcano, sand quarriers continue their operations, defying the authorities ban and risking imminent hot lava floods.

Residents in Magelang's Srumbung subdistrict at the foot of the mountain also ignored officials' warning of imminent danger. Schools opened as usual and villagers went to their rice fields, Antara reported.

Since the alert level was raised earlier this week, the volcano has been closed to mountaineers.

Tourist spots near the mountain, especially in the Kaliurang resort area, have also been closed until further notice.

The latest major eruption occurred in 1994, killing 68 people and forcing over 5,000 families to evacuate. (har/23/pan)