VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A relatively thin volcanic ash fall descended on a partial slope area in Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, after Mount Merapi erupted earlier on Thursday at around 5:16 a.m. local time.

"Two hours after the eruption, we had monitored areas affected by the ash rain in the sub-districts of Pakem and Cangkringan," Head Division of Emergency and Logistic of Local Disaster Management Body Makwan confirmed.

Makwan remarked that areas in Cangkringan Sub-district where volcanic ash rain fell are Kaliadem Lama, Kepuharjo, Kalitengah Lor, and Kalitengah Kidul in Glagaharjo, while in Pakem Sub-district, ash rain descended on Bukit Turgo and the surrounding areas.

However, the situation remains under control as "the people living in those areas are still going about their regular activities, while tourists are also having such a new type of experience here."

The agency is not providing masks since the affected areas are not considered to be that extensive even though the people probably continue to stock up on masks.

According to the Centre of Study and Technology Development for Geological Disaster (BPPTKG) of Yogyakarta, today's latest eruption of Mount Merapi was recorded at a maximum amplitude of 75 millimeters and a duration of 105 seconds.

It spewed volcanic ash reaching some two thousand meters high from the peak that is 4,968 meters above sea level. The ash was observed to be white to grey in color with medium intensity and leaning toward the northwest direction.

The status remains at Level II, thereby indicating to be on alert to potential hazard of "its hot cloud and volcanic materials falling, which result in any kind of activities being banned within a three-kilometer radius of Mount Merapi's peak." (ANTARA)