TEMPO.CO, Magelang - The C-class mining area in Bebeng River near Mount Merapi in Srumbung, Magelang, Central Java, is now closed temporarily after the volcano status was upgraded from normal (level I) to alert (level II).

“In response to the instruction from Research and Development Center of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) Yogyakarta, sand mining in Mount Merapi will be closed for the time being,” said Secretary of Kemiren Village Jumar in Magelang, Tuesday, May 22.

Read: Mount Merapi on Alert; 3 Km Radius Area Emptied

The path to the mining area on Bebeng River, Kemiren Village, that usually seen crowded with trucks passing by, is now relatively quiet today.

“There are indeed a few trucks that still passing by to carry sands, but they do not take it directly from the mining area. They took the sands from the depot in Kemiren Village,” he said.

The owner of a sand depot in Kemiren, Warsidi, said that he did not see any miners working today. Usually, there are three trucks carrying sands to the depot every day, but there is none to be seen. The miners already leave the mine site because there are no trucks operated.

“It happens because of Mount Merapi's activity, we cannot force the miners. If we force them, it will be too risky,” he said. Warsidi hopes Mount Merapi status can normalize sooner so the miners can return to work.

DEWI NURITA