IDR 10.5 Billion Disbursed! Mount Semeru Lava Embankment Speeded To 3 Months Of Village

LUMAJANG - The East Java Provincial Government (Pemprov) has accelerated the repair of the embankment damaged by the Mount Semeru rain lava, because it threatens residential areas in Sumberwuluh Village, Lumajang Regency.

"We are not standing still. I have instructed the technical team to go down to the field with a target of three months of embankment being permanently strengthened," said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 26.

Khofifah has gone directly to inspect the location and emphasized that the East Java Provincial Government will fully oversee the emergency handling, including accelerating the repair of the embankment through the East Java Public Works Service.

Khofifah emphasized the importance of accelerating handling to avoid layered impacts, such as rice fields prone to cold lava floods and residential areas.

"It is important to accelerate improvement, even though the weather is currently hampered by uncertain conditions. I hope conditions improve so that the work can be completed within three months," he said.

The East Java Provincial Government has allocated a budget of Rp. 10.5 billion for repairing embankments which are currently in critical condition due to damage to embankments along the 280 meters on the main side and other steering embankments that have the potential to threaten community settlements and agricultural land.

"If the embankment is not built immediately, the rice fields will also be affected. Residents' houses are also vulnerable to the possibility of further lava overflows, so the impact is very broad, and it is a shared responsibility," said Khofifah.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati appreciated the rapid movement of the East Java Provincial Government and Governor Khofifah's visit as evidence of synergy between district and provincial governments in facing infrastructure challenges, especially in disaster-prone areas such as Lumajang.

"This fast step means a lot to the surrounding community who have been living in anxiety due to the breakdown of the water control system. The Lumajang Regency Government also continues to coordinate across sectors, including inviting mining business actors to be involved in disaster mitigation efforts," he said.

According to him, the Lumajang Regency Government cannot work alone because the balance of the ecosystem and community protection is a shared responsibility, including mining actors operating in the cold lava flow area of Mount Semeru.

"I encourage them to take part in repairing embankments and supporting river deletion. It is not only a matter of embankments, but a matter of collective leadership, mutual cooperation, and efforts to protect the future of the Lumajang community from disaster risk," he said.

The two-kilometer embankment in Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District was badly damaged by about 300 meters due to the cold lava in April 2025, threatening the safety of 272 families with 1,027 people and 165 hectares of agricultural land.