BPBD Lumajang Imbau Masyarakat Tidak Beraktivitas Di Lereng Semeru

Eruption of Mount Semeru (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Lumajang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) appealed to the public not to move on the slopes of Mount Semeru after the eruption and launch hot clouds of avalanches as far as 7 kilometers on Sunday until conditions are conducive.

"The BPBD Disaster Management Rapid Response Team gave an appeal to the surrounding community to remain vigilant and calm in finding a safe point," said Head of the Lumajang BPBD Emergency Division, Joko Sambang, quoting Antara, Sunday.

Mount Semeru experienced an eruption accompanied by avalanches of hot clouds (APG) 7 kilometers away on Sunday at 02.46 WIB with a height of ash column being observed about 1,500 meters above the peak.

Then the ash column was observed to be gray with moderate to thick intensity leaning towards the southeast and south.

"The Lumajang BPBD team headed to the Candipuro-Pronojiwo sectoral location to carry out monitoring, appeals, evacuation and distribute masks," he said.

At 08.00 WIB, he continued, information from the BPBD monitoring post in Dusun Curah Kobokan, Supiturang that APG had decomposed above Watu Telu at the foot of Mount Semeru. The APG flood is still ongoing with a sliding distance of 4 to 5 kilometers.

"The Kali Lanang Curah Kobokan crossing route is temporarily closed for security reasons," he said.

He appealed to the public not to provide hoax information and wait for official information from PVMBG which will be forwarded by BPBD Lumajang.

Based on a report by the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the source of hot clouds avalanches comes from piles of material on the tip of the lava tongue which is about 800 meters from the summit (Kawah Jonggring Seloko).

The hot clouds of avalanches lasted continuously and until 06.00 WIB with a sliding distance of 7 kilometers from the summit towards Besuk Kobokan.