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Mount Merapi Is Far Away
From Lombok
 Mataram,
05/05/2006
Mount Merapi in Central Java has shown a
sign of increased activity in the past few days, forcing the local
authorities to raise its alert status to "Awas Merapi" (Beware
Merapi). Mount Merapi which sits astride the border between Central
Java and Yogyakarta is over 2000kms away from Lombok Island.
Tourism operations, airport services
and hotels remain at full operational levels with hotels on the
island ready to welcome holiday makers to this stunning island.
For
tourist, climbers who wish to do regular trek to Mt Rinjani Lombok
should not to worry because Mt Rinjani (Lombok) is thousands miles
away from Mt Merapi (Central Java).
In March 2006, BPPTK (Volcanology
Technology Development and Research Center) declared the status of
Mount Merapi from `normal active` to `caution`. On Wednesday (April
12, 2006), the status was changed into `on alert`, just one step
before the highest status prior to eruption, namely `watch
out/beware of Merapi`.
The government has taken
anticipatory steps and set up temporary shelters. Meanwhile, about
1,500 of 2,200 evacuees temporarily accommodated in Kemalang, Klaten,
Central Java. Despite the increased volcanic activity, some
residents remain unworried.
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has asked all related institutions handling the Mount
Merapi in Central Java to conduct a well-prepared plan to evacuating
people living around the mountain in anticipating its volcanic
eruption.
"What I need is not only
information saying that Mount Merapi is still active and may erupt
soon, but also about the evacuation plan if something happens.
"We do not expect the life or
material losses to happen," the president said.
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono also asked the community living around the Mount Merapi
not to be panicked, however they should have alertness if the
eruption happen immediately.
For update news on Mt Merapi,
visit the following website:
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The Jakarta Post Online
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Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi
(R4den)
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