Issue: ‘RI hit by tsunami, volcanic eruption’

Oct. 27, Online: A volcanic eruption and a tsunami killed dozens of people hundreds of miles apart in Indonesia — spasms from the Pacific “Ring of Fire” that spawns disasters from deep within the Earth.
Tuesday’s eruption of Mount Merapi killed at least 18 people, forced thousands to flee down its slopes and spewed burning ash and smoke high into the air on the island of Java.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Sumatra, about 1,300 kilometers west of the volcano, rescuers battled rough seas to reach Indonesia’s Mentawai islands, where a 10-foot tsunami triggered by an earthquake Monday night swept away hundreds of homes, killing at least 113 villagers, said Mujiharto of the Health Ministry’s crisis center. Up to 500 others are missing.
The twin disasters occurred hours apart in one of the most seismically active regions on the planet.
Scientists have warned that pressure building beneath Merapi’s lava dome could trigger its most powerful explosion in years.
But Gede Swantika, a government volcanologist, expressed hope that the 2,968-meter mountain, which sent rocks and debris cascading down its southern slope, could be releasing steam slowly. “It’s too early to know for sure,” he said, adding that a big blast could still be coming. “But if it continues like this for awhile, we are looking at a slow, long eruption.”
A 2006 eruption at Merapi killed two people, an eruption in 1994 killed 60 and a 1930 blast killed 1,300.

Your comments:

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of these catastrophes and their families. May God give them the strength to persevere and rebuild their lives.
Jaffree
Labuan, Banten

To all readers, let’s help our “family” members in Mentawai and Merapi.
Aid them with money, energy and prayers. I hope these accidents can remind us of Allah.
Teguh S
Surakarta

My condolences to the families of the Merapi and Mentawai victims. I hope the government can do more to ease your burden and help you during your ordeal.
For people who live in the Merapi area, please listen to what the government says.
Jasmine
Singapore

Disaster comes naturally. We shouldn’t blame and cuss the people or leaders. Just give a hand when you want to help or keep silent if you just want to watch.
Olizz
Jakarta

I feel I can speak on behalf of all Australians when I say that our hearts go out to everyone touched by the recent disaster in Indonesia.
Albion
Australia

It is sad to hear of the deaths and destruction in your part of the world from the tsunami and volcano. Stay strong in the days ahead and look after each other! All the best from the South Island of New Zealand.
Kiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand

It is now time for us to combine our resources and create a joint effort to respond to the emergencies in Mentawai and Yogyakarta.
While most Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) practitioners and emergency responders are focusing on the just-erupted volcano in Yogyakarta, the Mentawai islands are a bit outside the radar.
The earthquake in Mentawai, which was followed by a tsunami, has caused an increasing number of casualties and damage to homes.
In responding to the emergency, coordination is one of main keys in saving lives and protecting vulnerable groups. Disaster management is seriously needed in every disaster prone area.
Even more, coordination of disaster management would lead to efficient and effective measures by relevant emergency responders to combine their resources and make joint efforts.
The responsibility to strengthen coordination in disaster management falls on everyone: the government, community leaders, civil society, the private sector, non-profit organizations and many others concerned with responding to emergencies.
Let’s hope for the best for the victims of both recent disasters in West Sumatra and Yogyakarta.
Nova Ratnanto
Padang, West Sumatra