Mt. Merapi calm but still on max alert

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)