Central Java resident Tasri still remembers vividly the rumbling, heat and flames spewing from Mount Merapi, Indonesia's most active volcano during its last major eruption in 2010, which left more than 300 people dead and 20,000 others displaced.

"I am now scared that the volcano will erupt again because we don't know how big it will be," the 65-year-old mother of two told The Straits Times over the phone from the makeshift shelter at Tlogolele village, in Boyolali regency, where some 280 residents have sought refuge since Nov 8.

The coronavirus pandemic has added to the worries of those in the shelter, with each family allowed just 4 sq m of living space to ensure they can keep a safe distance from others. Mask wearing is also mandatory.

Although there is still risk of infection at the shelter, Ms Tasri said she felt more comfortable there than at home.

Indonesia's geological agency raised Merapi's alert level to the second-highest on Nov 5 due to increased activity and warned of a new eruption that could send volcanic material and hot ash clouds spewing as far as 5km.

As at yesterday, 2,157 people - mostly the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with disabilities - from four districts in Central Java and Yogyakarta have been evacuated to shelters near their villages.

Around a quarter of a million people live within a 10km radius of the 2,968m volcano, which sits amid surrounding fertile soil - largely due to the ash from its eruptions - highly suitable for farming.

In May 2018, the volcano spewed sand and pyroclastic material and sent ash as high as 5,500m into the sky when the people of Keningar village - which is the nearest to the mountain's western slope in Magelang regency - were holding a communal event.

It spread panic among the residents, many of whom, perhaps not surprisingly, have now opted for evacuation.

Keningar village chief Rohmat Sayidin said: "The residents were worried and scared because they were traumatised by the 2010 and 2018 eruptions."

Mining, hiking and other activities close to Merapi have been halted.

Last week, the Borobudur Conservation Agency covered 56 openwork stupas at the famed and popular tourist destination, Borobudur Temple, in Magelang, to protect them. A similar move was made on Thursday at the nearby Mendut Temple.

Mr Bambang Pawitan, a resident of Paten village in Magelang, arrived at a shelter on Nov 6 with his parents, wife and 41/2-year-old son.

He said he feels he is caught between a rock and a hard place because of Merapi and Covid-19.

"I'm traumatised by the 2010 eruption," said the 35-year-old, who had witnessed it up close.

"If I hadn't evacuated, I wouldn't be worried about getting infected by Covid-19. But now I am increasingly worried."

As at yesterday, Indonesia has reported 534,266 Covid-19 infections and 16,815 deaths - both the highest in South-east Asia.

Tlogolele village secretary Neigen Achtah Saputra believes voluntary evacuation was appropriate for its residents.

He said: "We don't force our residents to evacuate... but if they are aware of the danger posed by Merapi, they will stay (at the shelters)."

Each day, the village emergency team provides the evacuees with necessities and entertains them - especially the elderly - with campur sari, a blend of Javanese and modern music, Mr Neigen added.

Local media said groups of volunteers have also been visiting the shelters to help children with their studies or with other activities, such as games and storytelling.

Officials said the evacuation process was carried out according to health protocols to ensure safety.

"Adherence to health protocols is a must. Shelters provide spaces to wash hands, and are also equipped with thermometer guns. Evacuees must also wear masks," said Mr Safrudin, an official at the Central Java disaster management agency.

In Magelang, for instance, evacuees had to take Covid-19 rapid tests, and their health condition was assessed before admission to the shelters, he added.

At least three evacuees in the regency have tested positive and were sent to hospital.

Evacuees like Mr Bambang - who shuttles daily between the shelter and his house some 20km away to feed his three cattle - are worried about their future, saying that they may need further government assistance to restore their livelihoods once they can return home.

"We are running out of money. We spent cash to buy seeds to grow our plants, but then we left them to evacuate and they are useless now," he said.

"Hopefully, the government lends a hand so we can get back to farming again."

Mount Ili Lewotolok erupts; no injuries

JAKARTA • Indonesia's Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted yesterday, belching a column of smoke and ash 4km into the sky, triggering a flight warning and the closure of the local airport.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption in a remote part of the South-east Asian archipelago.

But the authorities raised the volcano's alert status to the second-highest level as they warned of possible lava flows.

A 2km no-go zone around the crater was also expanded to 4km, while flights were advised to steer clear of the area as volcanic ash rained down on East Nusa Tenggara's Wunopitu airport, which was temporarily closed.

"People are advised to not carry out any activities within a 4km radius of the crater," Indonesia's geological agency said.

Indonesia is home to about 130 active volcanoes due to its position on the Ring of Fire.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE