Mount Merapi's activity drops

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)