VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded that 1,979 people took refuge in 11 different places after  Mount Semeru in Lumajang District, East Java Province, showed signs of increasing volcanic activity on Sunday.

Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said in a press release received on Sunday that the places included Supiturang 4 Elementary School (266 people), Oro-oro Ombo Village Hall (217 people), and Sumberurip 3 Elementary School (119 people).

Furthermore, 228 people took shelter at the Sumberurip Village Hall, 131 people at the Penanggal Village Hall, 52 people at the Mount Semeru Monitoring Post, 216 people at the Pasirian Village Hall, 150 people at Candipuro Field, and 600 people at the Candipuro Sub-district Office.

Meanwhile, the rest evacuated to Pronojiwo 2 Junior High School.

The areas affected by mount Semeru's hot cloud avalanches comprised Supiturang and Sumberurip villages in Pronojiwo Sub-district; as well as Sumbersari Village in Rowokangkung Sub-district.

In addition, the other affected areas were Penanggal and Sumberwuluh villages in Candipuro Sub-district; as well as Pasirian Village in Pasirian Sub-district.

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) had raised the status of Mount Semeru from Level III or Alert to level IV or Caution.

The volcano erupted on Sunday at 02.46 a.m. local time emitting a hot cloud with an eruption column reaching a height of 1,500 meters above the peak.

Until the BNPB’s press release was published, there were no reports of casualties.

The joint team consisting of the Lumajang District Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), National Search and Rescue Agency, military, police, other related agencies, as well as volunteers continued to evacuate the residents.

A total of 10 thousand cloth masks, 10 thousand medical masks, and four thousand child masks were distributed to the community to anticipate any respiratory infection risks due to the volcanic ash.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Lumajang District Social Affairs Office are striving to establish a public kitchen. (antaranews)