BNPB: Semeru Eruption Disaster Management Enters Transition Period From Emergency To Recovery

Volunteers pass by as Mount Semeru emits hot clouds (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said that handling after a disaster in the form of being alert for the heat of the Mount Semeru avalanche is now entering a transition period from emergency to recovery.

"The extension of the emergency response period has ended on December 24, 2021 and continues in the transition phase to recovery," said Plt. Head of the BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Data Center Abdul Muhari in a written statement from BNPB received in Jakarta, Sunday, December 26.

Abdul said one of the priorities in this phase is to accelerate the relocation of residents to temporary shelters (huntara).

Based on data from the Command Post (Posko) for the Emergency Management of the Semeru Eruption as of Saturday, December 25 at 18.00 WIB, the total number of damaged houses was recorded at 1,027 units.

The damaged houses are scattered in Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, with details of 505 units being heavily damaged. Meanwhile, in Supiturang Village, Pronojiwo District, 85 houses were heavily damaged and 437 were moderately damaged.

Meanwhile, for the total number of residents who fled on Saturday, December 25, there were 9,417 people spread over 402 points.

With the concentration of evacuation centers centrally located in three sub-districts, namely in Pasirian there are 15 evacuation points with 1,657 people in them, Candipuro 22 points with 3,897 people and Pronojiwo seven points with 1,136 refugees.

Meanwhile, there are nine evacuation points outside Lumajang Regency in Malang Regency with 341 people, Probolinggo one point with 11 people, Blitar one point of refuge with three refugees and Jember three points with a total of 13 refugees.

Seeing the number of refugees scattered, Abdul emphasized that the local government continues to make preparations for the relocation of shelters for affected residents.

This can be seen from the existence of a command post that informs the relevant offices of clearing the land in the location area that has obtained a permit from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Land clearing is also still ongoing in Sumbermujur Village.

“In addition, the regional government has deployed heavy equipment for road widening and asphalting. This is to facilitate the activities of the residents later,” he said.