Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Sleman
Tourist sites in Mt. Merapi's vicinity have suffered a 100 percent drop in visitor numbers since an alert status was declared for the restless volcano two weeks ago.
Once crowded tourist sites near the volcano were deserted Sunday, the time of the week when they are usually thronged by visitors wanting to enjoy a clear sight of the towering mountain.
Only locals and journalists mingled this past weekend.
""Many tourists usually visit Kaliadem every Sundays with their families or friends,"" said local Sulis, referring to the tourist site near Kaliurang, about 5 km from Merapi, in Sleman, Yogyakarta.
Other popular areas, like Taman Plawangan park, Telogo Putri, Kaliurang recreational park and Merapi's observation post also were deserted.
Locals who depend on visitors for a living are feeling the pinch, such as Suwarti, a jadhah (sticky rice cake) seller in Merapi's observation post in Kaliurang.
""This morning, I've sold nothing yet,"" said the 32-year-old, adding her cakes were usually sold out by the same time.
Some food stalls around Kaliurang opted to close down, while owners of lodgings have few guests.
Others complained about being left in limbo -- and suffering losses -- as people awaited an eruption.
Sriwedari lodging owner Basuki confessed that his 10-room hostel was empty.
""I hope Merapi erupts soon so everything will return to normal. If the situation goes on like this, those of us who rely on tourists won't be able to earn a living"" said the 35-year-old father of one.
It's usual five-room daily occupancy has plummeted, with Basuki saying he is lucky to have one room occupied.
Marketing head of Sleman's Tourism Office, Evi Safitri, confirmed a 100 percent fall in the number of visitors to local sites.
On ordinary days, up to 2,000 people visited tourist sites in Kaliurang a day and the number rose to 5,000 a day on weekends.
""Kaliurang tourist sites are not closed but there's a drop in the number of visitors by 100 percent,"" she said.
Meanwhile, thousands of villagers are ignoring government warnings of an approaching eruption and staying put in their homes on the slopes of Merapi, whose last major eruption in 1994 claimed more than 50 lives and over 1,000 in 1930.
Volcanologists say the volcano may erupt at the end of the month, but many villagers fear losing property and livestock if they go, while some others, particularly older people, say they would prefer to die on their own land.
In the Central Java town of Magelang, repair works were conducted on 12 km damaged roads in Gumer hamlet, Ngargomulyo village in Dukun district since Monday to ensure a smooth evacuation process at the time of disaster. The work is expected to finish in two days.
Some 13 evacuation posts have also been set up but their number might be not enough to accommodate the estimated 30,000 residents set to be evacuated from eruption-prone areas.
Meanwhile, several students who were evacuated from their homes to safer areas with their parents have started studying in nearby schools. -- Images Page 19
-- With additional reporting by Suherdjoko in Magelang, Central Java.
