Mount Merapi, Indonesian volcano about to erupt

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Indonesia’s latest disastrous earthquake here. The Guardian Unlimited Newsblog also reported on the disaster here (thanks for the mention), and everyone was shocked once more at the wrath of nature which seems to have fallen upon the country ever so often lately.

Everyone reporting on the incident has conveyed the Indonesian government and scientist concerns on a possible eruption of the near-by Mount Merapi volcano on the island of Java. Now, it seems almost certain another disaster in underway. The Yogyakarta earthquake which ultimately claimed the lives of an estimated 6,200 people, aggravated Merapi, speeding it up.

The increased volcanic activity which includes violent bursts of lava and toxic gas to an expanding perimeter, indicates more people need to be evacuated. Something which may not be as easy. On this BBC article, you read:

“But some people refused orders to leave, while others have chosen to return during daylight hours, citing the need to tend their crops and livestock.”

It may sound odd to a “westerner” that people would risk their lives in such a manner. However, I can cite more than one case of people returning to their homes in the west after they have been evacuated at risk of a natural disaster. More recent is the example of a friend who moved back to her home after calls for evacuation due to an imminent flood risk.

Leaving one’s home in the face of peril strikes as an oxymoron all together. “Home” is supposed to be the one safe place to be at. Especially for people whose entire livelihood revolves around their homes, such in the case of Java island farmers, abandoning everything might take more than a government order. Perhaps providing some reassurance such as government aid and compensation for damages in case of a disaster would ease the evacuation and save more lives.

In the meantime, I’ll keep a close watch on Mount Merapi hoping for the best possible outcome to a seemingly hopeless situation.