Mount Semeru Erupsi, Embedding Hot Safe Up To 7 Kilometers

Mount Semeru. (BNPB Public Relations dock)

JAKARTA - Mount Semeru has erupted again today since 02.46 WIB. It was recorded that at 07.42 WIB, the vomiting of hot clouds of avalanches was still ongoing with a sliding distance of between 5 and 7 kilometers.

"Due to APG's activity, PVMBG (Villcanology Center and Geological Disaster Mitigation) still determines the status of standby or level III for the Semeru Volcano," said Head of Emergency BPBD Lumajang Regency Joko Sambang in his statement, Sunday, November 4.

Joko said, based on the PVMBG report, the source of the hot cloud avalanche came from piles on the tip of the lava tongue which were about 800 meters from the summit or Jonggring Seloko Crater.

In anticipation of the risk impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru, the Lumajang Regency BPBD team went to the field to study quickly and provide socialization to the public.

"We are already at the monitoring post. APG (hot clouds of avalanches) is currently still ongoing with a distance of between 5 and 7 kilometers. Our monitoring post is approximately 12 kilometers from the summit," explained Joko.

In field monitoring, volcanic ash is seen rising high upwards and tends to point south. In anticipation of the impact of the risk of volcanic ash, the Lumajang Regency BPBD team also distributed free masks to the public.

Volcanic ash headed south, to Rowo Baung. There were already friends distributing masks and providing outreach to the public, "explained Joko.

Meanwhile, PVMBG issued an appeal to the entire community not to carry out activities and stay away from the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, as far as 13 kilometers from the eruption center.

The public is also asked not to carry out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan because it has the potential to be affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to a distance of 17 kilometers from the summit.

In addition, people are prohibited from doing activities within a radius of 5 kilometers from the crater or peak of Mount Semeru because it is prone to the danger of throwing stones or incandescent stones.

"The public is expected to always be aware of the potential of APG, lava avalanches, and lahars along rivers/valleys that originate at the peak of Mount Semeru, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat as well as the potential for lahars in small rivers which are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan," he added.