There’s no denying it: Volcano are magical. It can make any great city look dumb, just by throwing some smoke and ash. Take Jogja. Seeing “The City Where Comfort Meet Brain” goes into “The City Where Ash Bury Your Ass” within a blink of volcanic burst is really frustrating and eerily awesome at the same time.
I know it’s part of the parcel to any people who living along an active volcanic border. But does this mean that there’s nothing we can do? No. Can we learn to avoid certain death when Merapi strikes again? Yes.
Ignorance is Merapi’s strongest ally, and knowledge is their deadliest enemy.
This is a list that I made for you, so that the next time Merapi decides to becomes royal bastard and try to fry every single person on the street, you’ve already prepared and don’t look like a complete amateur. They are as follows:
1. Detection
The most important thing to know is when Merapi gonna shout “fire in the hole!!” loudly. Fortunately volcano usually doesn’t erupt violently without warning. With a little luck, there’s a good chance that you have an adequate time to flee after the initial eruption occurred.
Remember to pick your detection tool carefully. Phone could be handy, since there’s a good chance your friend will warn you if shit happens. You should follow trustworthy twitter account such as @jalinmerapi or @jogjaupdate. TV could become a reliable source, but unfortunately some of them either include insensitive bastard named Permadi or add too much artificial drama in the news. For best result, I suggest you to stick with Metro.
2. Ashfall
Merapi erupt, but the authority said that you live within safe radius (for now). What to do? Sleep. There is a lovely volcano that ready to fry you and how in the bleeding hell you supposed to get any sleep!? It sounds crazy, it sounds careless, but it is essential if you’re going to make through this ordeal alive. Without rest, muscle deteriote, senses dull, and each passing hour reduce your ability to operate. Many foolhardy human, believing he could load his body with caffeine and “powered up”, has realized too late the consequence of such stupidity.
3. Moving
You just enjoy your proper snack table. The drinks being poured, the music playing. The chair is swaying... wait the chair is not swaying, it’s an earthquake! Merapi erupt! Within a minute, the authority announce that the place where you live is within dangerous radius. It’s time to move! What to do? What to do?
Get in shape. Your body should already be conditioned for a long journey. If this is not the case, begin a strict cardiovascular regimen. If there is no time, make sure the path you have chosen is within your physical abilities.
Plans B-C-D-E!:What if your first means of transportation doesn’t work? What if the road or waterway is blocked? What if you discover that the road already loaded by zombies, bandits, the military, or other refugees? What if a thousand more things go wrong? Have backup plans. Map out potential hazards in your path and develop individual, tailor-made ways to counter them. Alternate vehicles, routes, even a backup safe area that, while it may not be as ideal or prepared as the first, will at least keep you alive long enough to think up a new strategy.
Sadly, many fatalities when volcano erupt come from ordinary vehicle accidents. Reckless and/or arrogant riders could find themselves killed just as easily by a volcano pyroclastic flows. Wear standard safety gear, and choose caution over speed. The last thing you want is to end up in a ditch, legs broken, bike trashed, with the shuffling of lahar flow growing louder with each step.
4.Refuge
There’s a time when you should consider to move temporarily to farther area when your location is just too close. Don’t spend the time thinking the government or military are going to save you. Instead of waiting, use the time to choose a perfect temporary refuge. Consider these questions carefully:
- What is the supply situation?
- How many potential flee route are there?
- Is there sufficient water supply?
- What about means of communication: phone, radio, internet, etc?
Once you are settle in refuge, you should not feel restricted and become unproductive. Don’t get confused and just do the thing that you want or need to done. Hopefully you can through the ordeal unscathed.