Sri Sultan Sees The Dire Need of Obeying The Order

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has asked local people to go further away from Mt Merapi, at a distance of at least 20 kilometers from its peak. "Please obey the order and avoid the danger," said the Governor in Yogyakarta Friday, after the volcano’s eruption that caused 14 deaths on Friday early.

Sultan also reminded the people to wear masks since the volcano’s ash and dust have covered Yogyakarta area, especially Sleman district.  "Wearing masks is necessary for people doing outdoor activities, especially for those who ride motorcycle," Sultan said.

He instructed district authorities in Yogyakarta province to provide masks for the people.  Regarding office, school and trading activities in Yogyakarta, Sultan hoped the activities could  still run normally although slightly disturbed due to the rains of ash and sand caused by the eruption.

Meanwhile, Mt. Merapi has spewed hot clouds and bluster since Friday at 00.30 am local time forcing refugees to move further away up to 20 kilometers from the active volcano’s peak. However, Nurtyastuti (22) and her family, who live in Sleman located at 25 kilometers away from Mount Merapi’s peak, were asked to move to safer place immediately because the hot clouds are getting close to their village.

"Ash and sand rains have been falling since last night, bluster of Merapi is heard continuously, so we moved to safer place in Bantul," she said. The sound of avalanches from volcanic materials of Mt Merapi was also heard up to a distance of 35 kilometers from the volcano.