SINCE Mount Merapi was put on alert status, on Sunday, May 14, the hamlet of Turgo, Purbobinangun village, Pakem district, Sleman, has become deserted. Most of the residents have evacuated. The hamlet, which is 6 kilometers from the summit of Mount Merapi, is now sealed off.

Several youths and police officers are on guard at the Ngepring hamlet intersection, about 2 kilometers from Turgo. However, not all of the residents of Turgo have evacuated