Merapi Discharges Hot Clouds Again
Thursday, 15 June, 2006 | 17:58 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: At dawn this morning (15/6), the Mount Merapi volcano discharged hot clouds again.

These reached distances of about seven kilometers toward the Gendol River and Kukusan Hill.

Afterwards, there were small- and medium-size outbursts.

About one hour later, the glowing lava trails became a spectacle for many people, especially young men riding motorcycles.

The tourism spots of Kaliadem and Bebeng were covered in sand, volcanic rocks and other materials.

Verandahs and gateways were ruined by rocks.

Yesterday evening, the Kaliadem bunker was covered in sands.

It is estimated that two people had run and hidden inside the bunker.

Many Search and Rescue (SAR) team members are trying to evacuate the two people by digging with spades.

Heavy machinery could not reach the sand above the bunker because all roads were blocked.

At 8.40pm this morning, suddenly huge amounts of hot clouds were discharged again.

The direction was still the same, towards the Gendol River.

It is not yet known how far the hot clouds and glowing lava have traveled nor the condition of the SAR team members who are currently trying to evacuate the two people inside the bunker.

From Tempo observation, the trees alongside Gendol riverbank were burned.

The dam in Jambu hamlet has disappeared due to being clogged up with volcanic material.

All the blocks and protections from the hot clouds flow have gone.

Rivers and ravines have been filled up with volcanic material.

Heru CN and LN Idayanie