TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ash rain fell again in several areas of Magelang regency, Central Java early today, May 24, following the eruption of Mount Merapi at 02:56 local time.
The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Magelang stated several areas affected by the volcanic ash were Tegalrandu Village, Sumber, Dukun, Ngadipuro, Banyubiru, Muntilan, Kota Mungkid, Menayu, Kalibening, Salaman, Tempuran, Sedayu, Sawangan, and Mungkid.
Earlier, Mount Merapi erupted again at 02:56 local times, Thursday, May 24. The eruption column reached up to 6,000 meters to the west for 4 minutes. The current status is still on alert.
BPBD Magelang Head Edy Susanto appealed to the public not panic and remain calm and always stay alert. "Use masks and glasses for outdoor activities," he said when contacted on Thursday, May 24.
In addition, he urged the public to keep monitor the status development of Mount Merapi through reliable information from trusted sources such as the Institute for Research and Technology Development of Geological Disaster (BPPTKG), the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and BPBD.
Meanwhile, according to the management of Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM), the climbing activity is temporarily closed.
A local resident of Jrakah, Magelang Mukri said there was not an order on evacuation yet from the government thus far. However, the local residents stay on alert. "On Wednesday night, many Jrakah residents came out of the house to stand guard," he said, adding the thickness of volcanic ash due to Mount Merapi eruption was less than 1 centimeter.
SHINTA MAHARANI
