Local volcanologists said lava flows and emissions had reduced from Saturday, when the mountain spewed out hot ash around dawn but they added that the highest level of alert was still in place. There are no plans to reduce the warning status. But local police said only a small number of elderly people and infants had left the area. The Jakarta Post daily on Sunday reported about 600 residents had left the area but said that most had returned home. Near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, Merapi has been rumbling for weeks.
Many locals believe such rumblings are an omen of looming political trouble.
The Divide Can astrologers correctly predict earthquakes. T.K. Dutta and Ajai Bhambi argue it out.