Klaten, Ekuatorial – To anticipate Mount Merapi lava flood, Klaten Mitigation Disaster Agency installed surveillance cameras at Woro river upstream, said an official, in Klaten, Central Java, on Monday (24/11).
“The device is meant to monitor lava movement of Mount Merapi when it’s raining,” said Sri Winoto, head of the agency adding that there were 40 million meter cubic of volcanic material potentially flooding the river during rainy season in November.
By installing three Closed Circuit Television, or know as CCTV, in prone areas, Winoto said had proven to be effective to monitor Woro river areas, especially Sungai Dengkeng Gantiwarno sub district.
“We installed CCTV at Watu Talang areas located just underneath Mount Merapi crater,” Winoto said. In addition, they also installed CCTV at northern area of Balerante village of Kemalang sub district, one of the highest village located close to the mountain.
Furthermore, he said that CCTVs were also meant to warn miners in the Woro river. Local villagers were still spotted mining sands in Woro river despite of the warning.
Parmo, one of the miners from Kemalang, said that he was afraid of the lava flood as it was starting to rain heavily. “Of course, [I’m] afraid but what can I do, our lives depend on mining the area,” said Parmo. He reasoned that all fears were subsided when it comes to fulfill daily needs. Bramantyo