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Volcanic ash spewing from Mount Semeru on Saturday afternoon (December 4, 2021), as viewed from Oro-oro Ombo village, Pronojiwo sub-district, Lumajang district, East Java. (ANTARA/HO-Oro-oro Ombo resident) - 

Dozens of residents of Sumberwuluh village, Candipuro sub-district, Lumajang District, East Java, were shifted to safe areas after Mount Semeru erupted and spewed volcanic ash on Saturday afternoon.

"We got information that some 65 residents of Sumberwuluh village have sought shelter in safe locations. We have also mobilized the entire Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) officers to evacuate other residents to safe locations," the deputy head of Lumajang District Indah Amperawati said here.

Some officers of Lumajang BPBD and the Social Office have been dispatched to the affected areas to pick up residents confined by the thick volcanic ash in their homes, she informed.

"No casualty reported due to the eruption, and we hope there will be no fatalities. To prevent the casualties, we have swiftly evacuated residents to safe locations as other residents have sought shelter at the local mosque," Amperawati stated.

The volcanic ash of Mount Semeru has blackened the sky in affected areas, including Pronojiwo and Candipuro sub-districts, she added.

"We have received a report that three hamlets in Pronojiwo and Candipuro sub-districts covered in thick volcanic ash from the eruption. Kajar Kuning and Curah Kobokan are among the affected hamlets," she informed.

She confirmed the Lumajang BPBD and Social Office to set up evacuation centers and public kitchens for residents affected by the eruption. 

Meanwhile, Kristianto, an officer of Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), said the 3,676-meter Mount Semeru began erupting around 1.30 p.m. local time (UTC +7).

The eruption occurred with pyroclastic flow and volcanic mudflow, he added. 

"The visual of Mount Semeru indicates the volcano covered with thick volcanic ash, and the pyroclastic flow is streaming down to Besuk Kobokan river. The eruption is ongoing as we report this situation," Kristianto said//ANT