Mount Merapi Sees Rising Volcanic Activity; Bukit Turgo's Visiting Hours Limited

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Mount Merapi National Park Management’s Head of Region I Magelang Sleman, Sutris Haryanta, confirmed that the visiting hours of the Bukit Turgo are limited starting from Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Visitors are only allowed to enter the hill area, which is the slopes of the volcano, from 06:00 to 16:00 local time following the increase in the volcano’s seismic activity, as warned by the Center for Research and Development of Geological Disaster Technology or BPPTKG Yogyakarta.

“It aims to ensure the safety of visitors and no overnight activities in the area,” Sutris said on Sunday, May 26.

With an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, Bukit Turgo or Turgo Hill is known as one of the best spots to see Mount Merapi. It is located about four to five kilometers from the summit, where visitors can camp or engage in various attractions during low volcanic activity.

There is also a sacred grave of Kyai Turgo or Sheikh Jumadil Qubro, which is often visited by pilgrims who also often stay overnight near the hill area.

Agus Budi Santoso, the Head of BPPTKG Yogyakarta, explained that the increase in volcanic activity over the past weekend was marked by an increase in the frequency of tremors. 

“We have notified the BPBD (Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency) about the increase in earthquakes on Merapi since last Friday (May 24),” he said.

Volcanic ash rain has also been reported on several slopes of Mount Merapi, such as the Krinjing and Ketep areas in Magelang, Central Java. 

According to the BPPTKG Yogyakarta, the status of Mount Merapi remained at the alert level of Siaga (Watch), Level III of the four-tiered volcano alert system.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO

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