Directly Monitoring By Air The Impact Of Mount Semeru Eruption, Cak Thoriq: Hot Smoke Is Still Visible

An aerial view of the area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru. (photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA – To find out the impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru, the Regent of Lumajang, Thoriqul Haq, together with Danlanud Abdurrahman Saleh, Marsma TNI Zulfahmi, monitoring directly by air. The two of them flew together using a helicopter belonging to the Indonesian Air Force in Lumajang Regency, East Java, Sunday, December 5.

"I and Danlanud Abdurrahman Saleh saw firsthand the condition of the eruption of Mount Semeru from a helicopter. It is not yet possible to land at the disaster site because hot smoke is still visible," said the Lumajang Regent, who is usually called Cak Thoriq, as quoted by Antara.

After monitoring by air, Cak Thoriq held a troop gathering with joint personnel who were already on standby to help evacuate victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru.

He advised that during the residents' evacuation mission, the evacuator team must pay attention to their own safety considering the difficult terrain conditions and hot lava spots.

"Make sure the volunteers and evacuator teams are a safety priority as well. Two sub-districts affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru are Candipuro and Pronojiwo districts," he said.

The hamlet of Kampung Renteng, Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District was the location worst affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru which occurred on Saturday, December 4, because it was observed that a number of houses owned by residents and sand transport vehicles were buried by volcanic material from the highest mountain on the island of Java.

"The focus of handling after the eruption at this time is the evacuation process. I thank the volunteer team and BPBD from surrounding districts for participating in helping the emergency handling process in Lumajang," he said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, coordinated the closest regents to immediately respond to emergencies after the eruption of Mount Semeru. Especially in Pronojiwo District, where access was cut off due to the collapse of the Gladak Perak bridge.

"The Regent of Malang has sent a team, we have communicated between Mr. Regent of Lumajang, Mr. Regent of Malang, Regent of Jember has also sent a Rapid Response Team (TRC) BPBD, how the emergency action plan is as good as possible," he said.