Semeru Drops Lava, Mountain Slope Residents Start Refuge

JAKARTA - Residents who live on the slopes of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java, have begun moving towards the evacuation site to avoid the flaring of glowing lava from the volcano.

Reported by Antara, Monday, December 1, Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq and a group of government officials headed to the evacuation site on the slopes of Mount Semeru to monitor the condition of the displaced residents.

Head of the Preparedness and Logistics Prevention Division of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Lumajang, Wawan Hadi Siswoyo, when contacted by telephone in Lumajang, Tuesday, said that some residents had fled at the Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) at Mount Sawur.

"Some of the evacuations were scattered in several locations, but this morning we will focus on one place to facilitate handling," he said.

BPBD, according to him, will set up a refugee post and public kitchen in Kajang Hamlet, Sumberwuluh Village, to accommodate residents whose settlements are affected by the volcanic lava from Mount Semeru.

"For the exact number we are still conducting an assessment in the field, the safety of residents is the top priority," he said when asked about the number of residents who had fled.

He said that the incandescent lava from the Jonggring Saloko crater had slid 3,000 meters toward the Kobokan and asked residents to follow the BPBD officers' directions while evacuating.

According to information broadcast on the official website of the Geological Agency, Mount Semeru, which is located in Malang and Lumajang Regencies, East Java Province, experienced an earthquake avalanche and several times avalanches of hot clouds.

The activity level of Mount Semeru is still set at Level II (Alert).

People are advised not to do activities within a radius of one kilometer from the crater / peak of Mount Semeru and a distance of four kilometers from the crater opening in the south-southeast sector. Residents and tourists are also asked to be aware of hot clouds of avalanches, avalanches of lava, and lava along rivers / valleys that originate at the top of Mount Semeru.