Indonesia: Mount Merapi Volcano - Jan 1997

The National Coordinating Board for Disaster Management (BAKORNAS PB) of the Government reports that Mt. Merapi in Central Java erupted at 10:35 hours on 17 January 1997, gushing molten lava and spewing heat clouds of ash over vast areas. The eruption also produced heavy solvated smoke with low pressure at 200 meters height. Local authorities of Yogyakarta have maintained the Mt. Merapi alert at the highest level. Eruption of lava and heat clouds is still being reported. There were heavy rains on 17 and 18 January in surrounding areas, which might cause mudflows of the accumulated lava. As of 18 January 1997, more than 3,000 persons from villages or communities of Kaliurang, Turgo, Tritia, Ngandong, Glogaharjo, Kepuharjo and Umbulharjo were evacuated into elementary school, relocation area, kindergarten, houses of village heads, etc. However, approximately 300 people in some hamlets refused to be evacuated. Local authorities are trying to persuade the remaining villagers to be evacuated. (UN DHA, 20 Jan 1997)