Lumajang Regent Confirms Areas Affected By The Semeru Eruption Are Not Tourist Attractions

LUMAJANG - Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq emphasized that the area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru was not a tourist spot, and asked the public not to approach the area.

Thoriq, in Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency, said that for people who want to take pictures or capture the moment in the area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru, it will hinder the evacuation process.

"Regarding those who want to take photos, take pictures, that's it. Now is not the time. This is not a spectacle, not a tourist spot," said Thoriq, his nickname quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 9.

Thoriq explained, with the large number of people's activities using vehicles in the area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru, it would cause transportation tools to transport aid to be hampered.

According to him, for people who want to distribute aid to residents affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru, they can take advantage of the existing posts. Currently, in the Pronojiwo sub-district, there are already many poskos that have been established and can receive assistance.

"The problem is that a lot of people go there, including cars that go up. That's what causes problems," he said.

In an effort to reduce community activities in the affected areas, the East Java Police Satbrimob personnel conducted isolation. Blocking is done to prevent unauthorized parties from entering the disaster area.

Apart from local residents, officers, TNI-Polri and volunteers are prohibited from entering and approaching the disaster site. Only parties who carry out disaster management are allowed to enter the affected area.

There are two points of isolation carried out by personnel from the Satbrimob Polda East Java, namely in front of the Supiturang Village Hall and the intersection of the Pancasila Monument.

Based on ANTARA's monitoring, the most severely affected point in the Umbulan area, Sumbersari Hamlet, was visited by residents from outside the area. Residents from outside the area, many take selfies or broadcast live using social media accounts.

The Umbulan area in Sumbersari Hamlet was severely affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru. It was recorded that 20 hectares of agricultural land were damaged and dozens of houses were heavily damaged. In addition, hundreds of residents also had to evacuate due to the disaster.