BPBD Lumajang Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant Amid Increased Semeru Activity
The local government continues to coordinate with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), village governments, disaster volunteers, and various related parties to ensure that the development of Mount Semeru’s activity can be monitored continuously.
The Head of the Lumajang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in East Java, Isnugroho, stated that vigilance is still required as Mount Semeru’s activity increases, but the community does not need to panic and should adhere to the established recommendations for collective safety.
“The local government is continuously coordinating with PVMBG, village governments, disaster volunteers, and various related parties to ensure that the development of Mount Semeru’s activity can be monitored sustainably,” said Isnugroho in Lumajang on Friday.
Based on reports from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), at 07:21 WIB on Friday, eruptive activity at Mount Semeru was observed with an ash column height of approximately 1,000 metres above the peak. The ash column, ranging in colour from white to grey with thick intensity, was observed moving towards the north and northwest.
PVMBG also noted that this activity was accompanied by pyroclastic flows (hot clouds) moving towards Besuk Kobokan, with a flow distance of approximately 4.5 kilometres. This volcanic activity is part of the ongoing developments of Mount Semeru’s condition, which is being continuously monitored by officers at the Semeru Volcano Observation Post (PGA).
According to Isnugroho, official information from authorised agencies serves as a vital reference for the community to understand the current condition of Mount Semeru and as a basis for taking necessary anticipatory measures.
The Level III (Alert) status indicates that Mount Semeru’s activity still requires monitoring and vigilance; however, this status does not mean that the entire Lumajang Regency is in a dangerous condition.
He explained that the recommendations for activity restrictions only apply to specific areas designated based on the monitoring results and technical studies by PVMBG. Therefore, residents located outside the recommended danger zones can continue their daily activities as usual.
PVMBG also recommends that the public refrain from any activities in the south-eastern sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 kilometres from the eruption peak.
“Outside of that distance, the public is also requested not to engage in activities within a 500-metre radius of the riverbanks along Besuk Kobokan, as there is a potential impact from the expansion of hot clouds or lava flows,” he added.
The public is urged to avoid activities within a 5-kilometre radius of the crater or the peak of Mount Semeru. Vigilance must also be increased regarding the potential for hot clouds, lava flows, and lahars in the rivers originating from Mount Semeru, particularly during rainfall in the peak area.