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Merapi phreatic eruptions continue on Wednesday
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Smoke emanates from the crater of Mount Merapi in Magelang, Central Java, on May 22. The volcano’s status was raised yesterday from normal to 'waspada’ (caution) following a string of phreatic eruptions and volcanic earthquakes . (JP/Bambang Muryanto)
T
he Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has maintained the alert status of Mount Merapi in Magelang, Central Java, at waspada (caution), the third-highest level, as phreatic eruptions continue on Wednesday morning.
At 3:31 a.m. on Wednesday, a phreatic eruption occurred lasting four minutes, spewing 2,000-meters of volcanic ash into the sky. The eruption was monitored from Merapi observation posts in Jrakah and Kaliurang. Thick fog shrouded the crater when the phreatic eruption occurred, visual observation results from CCTV and thermal cameras showed. .
The Magelang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported medium-to-strong winds from Pasar Bubrah or the Post II area, which is only 2-kilometers from the top of the mountain, to the southwestern area (Magelang regency).
Among areas in Magelang regency effected by the volcanic ash include Blabak, Candimulyo, Dukun, Kalibening, Kalinegoro, Keningar, Ketep, Mungkid, Muntilan, Ngargomulyo, Ngadipuro, Pabelan, Sawangan, Salaman, Sumber, Wates and Tempuran.
(Read also: Klaten officials distribute thousands of masks as Merapi spews more ash)
BPBD Magelang has called on nearby residents to remain calm, but asked them stay alert while going about their daily activities. Residents have been urged wear sunglasses and masks when carrying out outdoor activities.
The agency has also asked all residents to follow news on Mt Merapi's activity that only quote trusted sources such as the BPBD, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and Research and Technological Development for Geological Disaster Agency (BPPTKG).
All hiking routes to Mt. Merapi National Park have been closed for more than a week following a phreatic eruption on May 11. (ebf)
