YOGYAKARTA, Nov 1 – Mt Merapi erupted again today spewing clouds of volcanic ash causing panic among vilagers in Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces. Indonesian volcanologists said the eruption at 10.30am was not as strong as the one on October 26 that killed 38 people.

Volcano Research and Technology Development station officer Kurniadi said Merapi spewed clouds of ash up to 1,500 metres. However, it did not reach villages in Kinahrejo, Cangkringan unlike the one on October 26 that killed Merapi keeper Mbah Maridjan and 14 others. Head of Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Centre Dr Surono said Merapi was still at alert stage and could erupt at any time.