Mount Semeru Eruption Causes Heavy Ash Rain, Residents Start Evacuating

ILLUSTRATION OF MOUNT SEMERU/DOCUMENTATION ANTARA

LUMAJANG - Mount Semeru, Lumajang, East Java erupted this afternoon. Residents began to be evacuated.

Head of PVMBG of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Andiani, said the eruption occurred at 13.30 western Indonesia time. The eruption that occurred was in the form of hot cloud avalanches which were estimated to slide as far as 11 kilometers towards the Kobokan Bulk, Sipiturang Village, Pronojiwo District, Lumajang Regency.

"Until now, the eruption is still ongoing. Visually, the mountain is covered in fog until now," Andiani told reporters, Saturday, December 4.

Andiani said the maximum amplitude recorded on the seismogram was 25 mm. The hot avalanche clouds slid toward the Besuk Kobokan Bulk for about 11 kilometers.

"Semeru's status has been on alert since May 12, 2012," she continued.

People who live in the lava flow are advised to stay away from the area around the river that originates at Mount Semeru. Until now, the impact of the eruption is still in the data collection. Residents have also been evacuated to safe locations.

Meanwhile, the Head of Prevention and Preparedness of BPBD of Lumajang Regency, Wawan Hadi said the current condition of the sky was dark because it was covered by hot clouds rising from the rain.

“The lights went out and the heavy rain caused smoke to cover the sky. It's dark here," he said.