Yogyakarta Encourages Tourists to Visit Mount Merapi, Even though It Still on 'Standby' Status
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7 November 2022 13:21 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) stated to the public, including tourists, for they do not need to be afraid to visit any destinations around Mount Merapi, even though the status is still at level III, or the Standby status. The Standby status of Mount Merapi has lasted for two years in 2022 since it was set on November 5, 2020.
This Standby Status is the longest in the history of recording volcanic activity experienced by Mount Merapi.
"People who visit Mount Merapi do not need to be afraid of this Standby status, as long as their activities are outside the danger area," said Head of Yogyakarta BPPTKG Agus Budi Santoso, Friday, November 4, 2022.
BPPTKG Yogyakarta currently has not yet changed the danger zone from the Merapi Standby status. The current potential danger is still in the form of lava avalanches and hot clouds in the south-southwest sector covering the Boyong River as far as 5 kilometres and the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers as far as 7 kilometres.
The southeast sector covers the Woro River for a maximum of 3 kilometres and the Gendol River for 5 kilometres. The potential for the ejection of volcanic material in the event of an explosive eruption is estimated to reach a radius of 3 kilometres from the peak.
"What needs to be done with the potential danger, is how we could live harmoniously with nature, such as suspending activities in the area of the potential danger that has been determined," said Agus.
Agus stated that in this Standby status, what needs to be paid attention to, especially toward the residents around Merapi, is that they must be ready to evacuate when the escalation increases at any time. "The task of the regional government is to prepare facilitation for the evacuation of residents," he said.
According to Agus, the effusive eruption that occurred at Merapi at this time has made the mountain inaccessible for climbing activities in the last two years. Climbers who often used to enjoy the panorama from the top of Merapi while camping or commemorating certain moments are no longer there.
"Climbing the Merapi has been banned since the status is still on Alert (Level II), this is because the condition in the area around the crater or peak is still not safe," said Agus.
BPPTKG Yogyakarta reported that when Merapi status was still on Alert and climbing was still permitted in 2018, there happened to be a phreatic eruption at the peak of the mountain. Luckily, the eruption went in the opposite direction from Pasar Bubar, the last permitted post for climbing Mount Merapi. "But luck like that can't be guaranteed to keep repeating itself, so for that, climbing during the Alert status and the Standby status are no longer allowed for the moment," he said.
PRIBADI WICAKSONO | IMAJI LASAHIDO (INTERN)
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