VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A total of 1,979 people fled to 11 points after the Mount Semeru Hot Clouds (APG) occurred, Sunday (4/12). The Lumajang Regency Government has set a disaster emergency response period due to APG Mount Semeru for 14 days.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) previously raised Mount Semeru's status from level III (alert) to level IV (alert). "Emergency response 14 days from today, I will sign the Regent's Decree immediately," said Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq at the Penanggal Village Refugee Post, Sunday (4/12/2022).

Cak Thoriq confirmed that PVMBG had raised Mount Semeru's status to Alert level IV. Therefore, people who are in the red zone are asked to vacate their places and evacuate to the evacuation posts that have been provided.

"I ordered all OPD (Regional Apparatus Organizations) in accordance with their duties and functions to consolidate the refugees. They can be intervened because they are scattered in several places and the spread is wider," he said as reported by the Lumajang Regency Government's official website.

Cak Thoriq also asked the people at the evacuation posts not to easily believe information spread by irresponsible persons. This is because there is information circulating that the relocation area is an unsafe location from the potential for a Mount Semeru Eruption disaster.

BNPB records as many as 1,979 people were displaced in 11 points after the APG occurred and the volcanic activity of Mount Semeru increased, Sunday (4/12). The BNPB Control and Operations Center (Pusdalops) detailed the 11 evacuation points.

That includes 266 people at SDN 4 Supiturang, 217 people at the Oro-oro Ombo Village Hall, 119 people at SDN 2 Sumberurip, 228 people at the Sumberurip Village Hall, 131 people at the Penanggal Village Hall. Also 52 people at the Gunung Sawur Post, 216 people at the Pasirian Village Hall, 150 people at Candipuro Field, 600 people at the Candipuro District Office and the rest at SMP N 2 Pronojiwo.

The areas affected by the Semeru Volcano APG include Capiturang and Sumberurip Villages in the Pronojiwo District. Also Sumbersari Village in Rowokangkung District, Penanggal Village and Sumberwuluh Village in Candipuro District and Pasirian Village in Pasirian Village.

Until the BNPB press release was published, there had been no reports of casualties. A joint team from BPBD Lumajang Regency, Basarnas, TNI, Polri, volunteers made rescue, search and evacuation efforts.

A total of 10,000 cloth masks, 10,000 medical masks and 4,000 children's masks have been distributed to reduce the impact of respiratory health risks due to volcanic ash. Meanwhile, PMI and the Social Service are in the process of establishing a public kitchen. (RRI)