TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Research and Technological Development for Geological Disaster Agency (BPPTKG) previously announced Mount Merapi had erupted on Thursday, Feb 13, at 05:16 Indonesia Western Time (WIB).

The mountain that sits between the Central Java and Yogyakarta Provinces border erupted for about 150 seconds and created an eruption column that reached 2,000-meters.

This has caused ash to rain over a number of areas in the volcanic mountain’s perimeter, mainly within the Cangkringan District, Sleman. The areas include Kaliadem Lama, Kalitengah Lor, and Kalitengah Kidul. Other areas observed with volcanic ash rain are Turgo, Pakem District, Sleman, and Yogyakarta.

“Volcanic ash rain showered over a number of areas post-Merapi eruption,’ said the Yogyakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency’s operations control center Chair, Danang Samsurizal, today.

Despite this, residents within the “disaster critical area 3” which sits close to Mount Merapi, are able to continue activities as usual.

Mount Merapi last erupted in 2010 and was under status ‘alert level 2’ since May 21, 2018. The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) warned tourists and locals to avoid conducting activities within Merapi’s 3-kilometer perimeter.

Previously, the PVMBG warns people to anticipate possible volcanic ash clouds up to explosive eruptions produced by Mount Merapi. Those living along the rivers upstream were warned of cold lava floods (locally known as lahar dingin) during rainstorms.

MUH SYAIFULLAH