Mt. Merapi calm but still on max alert

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Mount Merapi calmed down yesterday, but a high level alert was maintained for people living within a six kilometer radius of the volcano.

Sunarto, an official monitoring Merapi from the nearby Kaliurang observatory post, said although the mount was relatively calm the activity remained high.

Residents near the mountain were asked to remain alert because the activity could increase again any time and there was a danger the massive cold lava on top could slide when it rains, he said.

The volcano yesterday continued to spew thick white columns of sulfuric smoke as high as 300 meters.

"Tremors were still frequent and burning lava often gushed from the dome," Sunarto said. "Merapi is not stable yet."

In the Kemalang subdistrict, Klaten regency, people flocked to trucks unloading clean water provided by the government. Water from wells is no longer safe because it has been contaminated with sulfuric ashes from Merapi.

Meanwhile, Boyolali regent Syahrial Makgalantung visited a 29- year-old villager being treated in hospital for burn injuries he received when flying hot ash flew into his face while riding a bicycle.

In Semarang, Muladi, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights called on the regency governments near Merapi to regulate resettlement of the affected people.

Muladi said laws should guarantee that affected villagers be moved under the state-sponsored transmigration program for a better living.

Central Java governor Soewardi has called on the affected residents to transmigrate to the outer islands. Residents are generally reluctant to leave because their land is fertile. (har/23/pan)