A view of the Mount Merapi volcano emitting smoke from the village of Boyong, in the district of Sleman, central Java October 23, 2010. Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center on Friday increased the volcano's alert status to the second highest level following its increasing volcanic activities, according to local media. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Dwi Oblo )
October 23, 2010 (KATAKAMI / THE JAKARTA POST) — The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has posted 175 volunteers to areas near Mount Merapi following to a recent alert status declared by the Volcanic Technology Development and Research (BPPTK) Yogyakarta.
“We have to be ready whenever the disaster hits us. We have to train local residents to remain calm and do what they need to do,” Klaten regency PMI officer Ahmad Dahlar said on Friday as quoted by Kompas.com.
Since it was declared under alert status on Sept. 23, 2010, Mount Merapi has continued to show increasing volcanic activity.
According to head of the BPPTK Yogyakarta, Subandrio, Merapi, which borders Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, has been changing form as a result of pressure from its magma fluid, which is seeking a way out.
