Magelang City govt anticipates impact of Mt Merapi eruption

Magelang, E Java (ANTARA) - The government of Magelang City in Central Java Province has taken measures to lessen the impact of volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Merapi on Saturday (March 11, 2023).

Larsita, the acting Regional Secretary of Magelang City, said on Sunday that his side immediately held a coordination meeting after volcanic ash rained down on the city, which is located on the west side of the volcano.

He said the city’s environment office, Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), fire service, and tap water company PDAM cleaned up the volcanic ash in several public areas, including parks and roads, by spraying water.

"This has been carried out at Magelang City Square since Saturday evening," he said.

Larsita said the city government would continue its efforts in other locations on Sunday.

In addition, the local government has provided masks to the people at several locations to prevent breathing problems.

“The city government has also provided medicines for eye irritation and respiratory infection. All medicines have been prepared at the puskesmas (community health centers) and their supporting units,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Magelang City M. Mansyur has appealed to the public to clean the volcanic ash that fell on their settlement areas.

He said that his side also anticipated the impacts of Mount Merapi’s eruption on community events, such as a religious event held on Sunday at Agung Mosque and Kyai Langgeng Ecopark ahead of the Ramadan month, which is estimated to fall between March 23 to April 21, 2023.

The officers had cleaned up the locations and prepared masks to be given to the visitors, he said.

"Anyone who needs emergency medical treatment can contact 119", he said.

Mount Merapi is located on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces.

According to the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), the mount started spewing hot cloud avalanches on Saturday at 12:12 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB).

The agency recorded one lava avalanche with a sliding distance of 1,500 meters to the southwest during observations on Saturday morning.