Geological Agency Improves Mitigation Capacities to Monitor Mount Merapi

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 357.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 20 November 2020

Geological Agency Improves Mitigation Capacities to Monitor Mount Merapi

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) through its Geological Agency continues to prepare mitigation capacities following the escalation in the status of Mount Merapi to Level III or Watch. The statement was made by Head of the Geological Agency, Eko Budi Lelono, in a coordination meeting with Chair of the BNPB (Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure) Doni Monardo on Thursday (19/11).

"We are improving the quality of monitoring network, disseminating information on the latest activities of Mount Merapi, and increasing community capacity through information dissemination in villages located in Disaster Prone Areas," Eko reported to the Chair of BNPB.

Monitoring by the BPPTKG (Research Office for the Development of Geological Disaster Technologies) on the same day reported a higher level of volcanic activities, in terms of both seismic and deformation activities. Sounds of avalanches have also grown louder since last week. These avalanches have even reached a maximum distance of 3 kilometers from the crater. These conditions are the determining factors when deciding the volcano's status escalation.

"The escalation of status has been made after we consider the results of monitoring and data evaluation, which show that volcanic activities may develop into eruptions that put the surrounding communities in danger," said Eko.

The Geological Agency through its Center for Volcanology and Mitigation of Geological Disasters has mapped 30 villages around Mount Merapi as hazardous areas. Thus, the Ministry of EMR continues to coordinate with the BPBD (Disaster Countermeasure Agency) at regency and provincial levels as well as with the BNPB, local governments, the BMKG (Indonesian National Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency), SAR, the PMI (Indonesian Red Cross Society), Health Services Office, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces)-Polri (Indonesian National Police), Mount Merapi National Park, and volunteers around Merapi.

Ministry of EMR has urged people living in Merapi's disaster-prone areas to keep abreast of information and recommendations from the BPPTKG as well as directions from the BPBD and the local governments. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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