Mass evacuation in Indonesia as Java volcano erupts - PHOTO

Mount Kelud spewed ash and debris over a large area, including the city of Surabaya, about 130km (80 miles) away.Two people died after their houses collapsed under the weight of ash, officials said. Some towns were said to be covered by 4cm (1.6 in) of ash.Three major airports in Surabaya, Solo and Yogyakarta were forced to shut down because of low visibility.There are also fears that debris could damage aircraft engines.Andi Wirson, general manager at the Yogyakarta airport, said: "The current conditions are that volcanic ash is now covering the runway, apron and tarmac. We have already measured the thickness of the volcanic ash, which is at 5cm on the runway and tarmac."Officials raised an alert on Thursday around an hour before the volcano erupted, and urged around 200,000 people living in 36 villages in a 10km (6 mile) radius around the volcano to evacuate.However, it is not clear if they have all left their homes.Many in Indonesia are quite used to volcanic eruptions, and are reluctant to leave their homes and belongings, correspondents say.Officials said two people died after their homes, which appeared to have weak structures, could not withstand the weight of gravel and ash, and caved in.Some of the evacuees tried to visit their houses on Friday morning to gather clothing and valuables, but were forced to turn back by the continuous stream of volcanic ash and rocks from the volcano, AFP news agency reported.Covered in greyThe volcano spewed ash and gravel that flew as far as 200km (124 miles) away, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told the BBC.The nearest town from the volcano, Kediri, looks completely grey and white, the BBC's Alice Budisatrijo in Jakarta reports.The thick dust makes it dangerous for pedestrians and vehicles to be on the road, and authorities say residents are volunteering to sweep the streets, our correspondent adds.The 1,731-m (5,600 ft) Mount Kelud - which had been rumbling for several weeks - erupted on Thursday evening.However, the head of Indonesia's Volcano and Geology Agency, Hendrasto, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said the eruption was gradually subsiding.Experts say the volcano tends to quieten down after a large eruption, and more big eruptions are unlikely.The volcano last erupted in 1990, killing dozens of people. A powerful eruption in 1919 killed around 5,000 people.Indonesia lies across a series of geological fault-lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.There are around 130 active volcanoes in the country.Earlier this month, Mount Sinabung on the island of Sumatra erupted, killing at least 14 people.(BBC)ANN.Az