Mount Semeru Rises Status To Alert Level, Governor Khofifah Asks Lumajang Residents Not To Panic Because Evacuation Lines Are Prepared

The condition of the location affected by the disaster in the Mount Semeru area, Lumajang Regency, Sunday (4/12/2022). (ANTARA/HO-SAR Surabaya)

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa ensured that evacuation routes for residents at points affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency had been prepared so that residents were advised not to panic. The status of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency has increased from level III (Alert) to level IV (Awas), after experiencing an eruption accompanied by avalanches of hot clouds (APG) on Sunday morning. "I ask the public to increase their vigilance by not carrying out any activities and not panic. Currently prioritize safety, self-evacuation first. Please, because currently Semeru's activities are increasing. Immediately seek and evacuate yourself to be safe and safe," said Khofifah in a written statement in Surabaya, Antara, Sunday night. Based on data from the Mount Semeru Observation Post of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (PVMBG ESDM), the height of the ash column was observed to be approximately 1,500 meters above the peak or 5,176 meters above sea level (Mdpl). Governor Khofifah revealed, with that status, people are prohibited from carrying out activities at a distance of 500 meters from the edge or river border 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. "The handling of the Mount Semeru disaster is the main priority of the East Java Provincial Government, especially in evacuating the affected victims. This includes the needs of the refugees," he said. Governor Khofifah ensured that the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) team had started to send assistance, both basic needs for affected communities and volunteers. "We have prepared swift steps taken by the East Java Provincial Government under joint coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency/BNPB and of course the Lumajang Regency Government to maximize services for affected communities," said Khofifah.