Indonesia extends state of emergency around Mt. Merapi amid increasing volcanic activities

 

Indonesian  authorities  have extended the state of emergency in areas surrounding Mount Merapi on Java island since Monday until the end of this month amid increasing volcanic activities. The extension was announced on Tuesday by Joko Supriyanto, chief of the regional disaster miti-gation agency in Yogyakarta pro-vince’s district of Sleman, one of the residential areas that would likely be impacted by the volcano’s possible eruption.

On last Thursday, the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) recorded an increasing activity of the mountain.According  to  the  geological agency, the hot clouds from Merapi could potentially reach up to five kilometers from its summit.Supriyanto said at least 145 residents living in the vicinity of Merapi are currently staying at temporary shelters in safer areas in Sleman.