Cold Lava Flows from Mount Merapi; Dozens of Trucks Stuck

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Dozens of sand mining trucks were reportedly caught in a cold lava flood while carrying out activities on a river that originates from Mount Merapi as heavy rains hit the area today, Feb. 3.

The cold lava flood that occurred at around 13:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) was observed in Boyong River, Sleman Regency. Based on a circulated amateur video, the truck drivers ran to escape from the vehicle to avoid the lava flood.

“As of 13:30, at least 20 trucks were trapped by the lava flood in Boyong River,” said Makwan as the Head of the Sleman Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

Makwan explained the lava flood recorded at Ngandong Station was in the moderate to heavy category. The rain started at 12:10 with an intensity of 61.2 millimeters. “There were no injuries or fatalities,” he added.

The Yogyakarta Office of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had announced that there would be heavy rain accompanied by lightning in Pakem District, which possibly extends to Turi, Cangkringan, Sleman, Ngemplak, and Ngaglik sub-districts, Sleman Regency this Thursday.

The Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) also recorded rain at the peak of Mount Merapi on Thursday starting at 11:37 WIB with a total rainfall intensity of 15 millimeters.

Tempo also observed that rain accompanied by strong winds hit urban areas, such as Malioboro, UGM, until the outskirts of Yogyakarta City.

Read: Mount Merapi Spewed Lava Multiple Times: Yogyakarta BPPTKG

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)