Satellite Image Shows 2.417.2 Hectare Land Damaged Due To Semeru Eruption

JAKARTA - The acting Head of the Research Center for Remote Sensing Applications at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Rokhis Khomarudin reported damage to an area of 2.417.2 hectares due to the Mount Semeru disaster, Lumajang Regency, East Java through satellite imagery.

This has led to new openings for lava flows from the volcanic activity of Mount Semeru which were recorded as long as 710 meters with a width of 110 meters, according to USGS (United States Geological Survey) satellite imagery.

"There has been a change at the top of Mount Semeru, a new lava flow," said Rokhis, quoted by Antara, Friday, December 10.

Rokhis explained the details of the area of land damage covering 909.8 hectares of forest, 764.5 hectares of open land, 243.1 hectares of secondary forest, 161.5 hectares of agricultural land, 161.2 hectares of fields/moorlands, 77.9 hectares of plantations, 67 settlements, 8 hectares, 20.9 hectares of bushes/shrubs, and 10.4 hectares of water bodies.

From the data from a number of satellite images used as a comparison with the current situation, Rokhis said the areas affected by hot clouds and the avalanches of Mount Semeru looked very clear.

It is estimated that there are 43 buildings directly affected by the hot clouds and avalanches of Mount Semeru,

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) appealed to the change in morphology of the Mount Semeru crater, the community around the Mount Semeru area to increase their awareness and preparedness to anticipate the potential impact of aftershocks.

In addition, all teams on duty in the field for the search, evacuation, cleaning, and other activities in emergency response efforts should always be alert and continue to monitor information from the Mount Semeru observation post or the Geological Agency.

Previously, the Commander of the Command Post for Emergency Response to the Impact of Hot Clouds and Fall of Mount Semeru, Danrem 083/Baladhika Jaya Colonel Irwan Subekti reported that a total of 45 people had died until the seventh day of the search for the disaster occurred.

"Until the seventh day, a total of 45 people died. So, today there are two additional victims from Renteng Village," said Irwan.

Irwan reported that there are currently nine missing residents reported and 19 people are seriously injured and 19 people are slightly injured.

Meanwhile, according to data from the Emergency Response Task Force for the Impact of Hot Clouds and Falls of Mount Semeru, it was reported that there were 6.573 refugees, with material losses affected by 2.970 housing units.

A total of 33 units of public facilities were damaged. One of the worst things was the breaking of the Gladak Perak Bridge which connected parts of Lumajang Regency with Malang.