Sleman Disaster Agency Boosts Preparedness for Potential Mount Merapi Disasters

Sleman (ANTARA) – The Sleman Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is strengthening preparedness for potential disasters as Mount Merapi remains at Alert Level III (Alert).

The Sleman administration has extended the Mount Merapi eruption emergency alert until the end of December to prepare for potential eruptions and secondary hazards such as cold lava flows and flash floods.

“The potential supply of volcanic material is being monitored at a relatively high level in the south-western and southern sectors,” said Bambang Kuntoro, head of the Sleman BPBD, in Sleman on Thursday.

To reduce risks, Bambang said the agency had installed and optimised dozens of early warning system (EWS) devices at various vulnerable locations.

The monitoring network is integrated with the River Basin Agency (BWS), monitoring posts and weather radar to track rainfall intensity around the summit.

“These safety measures are considered crucial, particularly at weekends, when the slopes of Merapi attract many tourists and visitors taking part in jeep tours,” he said.

Bambang said the agency was urging residents and tourists to stay alert during extreme weather, especially when rainfall exceeds average levels.

“If extreme weather occurs at the summit, we immediately activate the EWS to provide early warnings of potential flash floods or cold lava flows, so residents and tourism operators near river channels can move to safer places,” he added.

The agency is also preparing for potential hydrometeorological disasters during the transition from the dry season to the transitional and rainy seasons, including strong winds, lightning strikes and landslides in several vulnerable areas, Bambang said.

Intensive cross-sector coordination has been carried out with local stakeholders, from the kapanewon (subdistrict) and kalurahan (village) levels to the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police (Polri), Health Office and relevant technical agencies.

“These measures include preparing evacuation routes and shelters, as well as strengthening public education on mitigation in disaster-prone areas,” he said.

In terms of funding, the Sleman BPBD said it had made contingency expenditure (BTT) available for emergency disaster response. This is supported by coordination with the provincial government and relevant central government agencies should a rapid escalation in response be needed.

“Sleman remains under an eruption emergency alert for Mount Merapi until the end of December. We urge people on Merapi’s slopes to continue following safety recommendations from the authorities,” he said.