Boyolali. Mount Merapi sent several lava avalanches down its slopes on Monday morning, with the longest traveling about 2 kilometers, prompting authorities to remind residents to stay out of designated danger zones around the volcano.

All of the observed lava avalanches moved toward Merapi's southwestern sector, according to monitoring data from the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG).

Boyolali Disaster Mitigation Agency Head Ari Wahyu Prabowo urged residents to remain vigilant and refrain from entering areas designated as potentially hazardous.

“Residents are advised to remain vigilant and not conduct activities in areas included in Mount Merapi's designated danger zones,” Ari said.

He also warned communities on Merapi's slopes against burning branches or other dry material during the dry season because of the risk of forest fires.

BPPTKG data showed one lava avalanche moving toward the upper reaches of the Krasak River, traveling a maximum distance of 1,000 meters.

Four other lava avalanches headed toward the upper reaches of the Putih River, with the longest traveling as far as 2,000 meters.

Seismic activity at the volcano also remained elevated. BPPTKG recorded 16 avalanche earthquakes with amplitudes ranging from 2 to 24 millimeters and durations of between 29.12 and 199.93 seconds.

During the monitoring period, Merapi's summit was clearly visible, with no crater smoke observed. Weather conditions were clear, with light winds blowing east and west.

Mount Merapi remains at Level III, the second-highest level in Indonesia's four-tier volcanic alert system. Recent disaster-agency reporting confirms the volcano has remained at Level III since November 2020.

BPPTKG said the main threats from lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows remain concentrated in the south-southwestern sector.

Potential hazards extend up to 5 kilometers along the Boyong River and up to 7 kilometers along the Bedog, Krasak and Bebeng rivers.

In the southeastern sector, hazard zones extend up to 3 kilometers along the Woro River and 5 kilometers along the Gendol River.

BPPTKG also warned that volcanic material could be ejected as far as 3 kilometers from the summit in the event of an explosive eruption.

Monitoring indicates that magma supply beneath Merapi is continuing, potentially triggering further pyroclastic flows within the designated hazard areas.

Residents were urged not to enter those areas and to remain alert to pyroclastic flows and rain-triggered lahars, particularly when heavy rain occurs around the volcano.

Communities surrounding Merapi were also advised to prepare for possible disruption from volcanic ash should eruptive activity intensify.

BPPTKG said Merapi's alert status would be reassessed if monitoring detected significant changes in volcanic activity.

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