The Impact Of The Semeru Lava Flood, Residents Who Refuge Continues To Increase

The Regent of Lumajang saw data on residents who fled to avoid the impact of the cold lava flood on Mount Semeru at the evacuation post in Jarit Village, Lumajang Regency, East Java Province, Friday (7/7/2023) night. (Doc. ANTARA)

LUMAJANG - Heavy rains in the Mount Semeru area since Friday, July 7, have caused the Semeru cold lava flood. The water discharge in the watershed in the river basin continues to increase due to the rain.

The number of residents who fled to avoid the impact of the cold lava flood on Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java Province, increased from 393 people to 493 people according to local government data.

"The handling of refugees in several places is under control. Public kitchens have also been prepared," said Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq in Lumajang, Saturday, quoted by ANTARA, July 8.

According to data compiled by officers from the Lumajang Regency Social Service, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection on Friday (7/7) at 23.00 WIB, 493 residents fled several evacuation points in Lumajang to avoid the impact of the cold lava flood on Mount Semeru.

Refugee posts are available, among others, at Tumpeng Village Hall, Jarit Village Hall, Penanggal Village Hall, residents' houses in Pasrujambe Village, Tambak Rejo Village Hall, Nurssalam Islamic Boarding School, Jarit Village, and Pronojiwo District Office.

The Department of Social Affairs, Women's Empowerment, and Child Protection of Lumajang Regency together with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the TNI and Polri have distributed aid to displaced residents to avoid the impact of the Semeru cold lava flood.

The Regent said that after setting a disaster emergency status, the local government took steps to restore infrastructure damaged by cold lava floods.

"The next step is to restore infrastructure emergencies, clean up landslides, handle eroded embankments, and normalize electricity," he said.

He said the district government was coordinating with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) in improving damaged infrastructure.

"Regarding the reconstruction of several damaged infrastructures, an assessment will be carried out immediately and immediately coordinated with the Ministry of PUPR," he concluded.