The Indonesian authorities raised the risk alert level to the maximum this Sunday in the surroundings of the Semeru volcano, in the southeast of the island of Java, due to the "increased volcanic activity" after the eruption registered this morning, which caused the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people so far.
The measure is due to the fact that "eruption activity and hot cloud avalanches at Mount Semeru remain very high", increasing the risk of gas and water vapor clouds or lava flows due to the strong rain that falls in the area, explained in a note the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB).
"With this increase in volcanic activity, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the status of Mount Semeru from 'Alert' to 'Caution', or from level III to level IV," the Agency said.
The BNPB reported that the Semeru, located in the Indonesian regency of Lumajang, ejected this Sunday a column of gray ash, with moderate to thick intensity, which reached 1.5 kilometers above the level of the crater since 2:46 local time (GMT 7). .
A total of 1,979 people, residents of 11 areas around the volcano, have been displaced so far due to worsening weather conditions and heavy rains throughout the day, which caused ash to begin falling in various areas of the town. of Lumajang.
So far, no fatalities have been recorded as a result of the volcanic eruption, the Agency added.
Also, a joint team made up of local authorities, the National Search and Rescue Agency, volunteers and other relevant agencies "continue to carry out rescue, search and evacuation efforts."
The emergency services have distributed a total of 10,000 cloth masks, 10,000 medical masks and 4,000 children's masks to reduce the impact of volcanic ash on the health of the inhabitants, while the Red Cross works to establish a public kitchen to help the homeless
In videos distributed by the BNPB, a thick wall of smoke and ash can be seen advancing through several towns attached to Mount Semeru, as well as some damaged structures and people receiving help from lifeguards in the streets.
The emergency teams that monitor the situation from the ground have urged residents not to carry out any activities in the southeast of the town of Besuk Kobokan, 13 kilometers from the summit of the mountain and the center of the volcanic eruption.
Likewise, they have asked to stay away from the banks of the rivers due to the "potential to be affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lava flows up to a distance of 17 kilometers from the summit" and not to move within a radius of 5 kilometers from the crater. due to the danger that the volcano expels incandescent stones.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said it was monitoring the possibility of a tsunami after the volcano erupted, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported, although Indonesian authorities have not commented on the potential risk of tidal waves.
The eruption of Semeru, 3,676 meters high and one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, struck terror among the residents of the town of Lumajang, causing many to abandon their homes and flee in haste, according to various reports. videos shared on social networks.
A year ago, an unexpected explosion from the volcano caused the death of more than 40 people and forced the displacement of some 5,000 individuals, while several dozen were injured with burns.
Indonesia sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of great seismic activity with about 120 active volcanoes and is shaken by thousands of tremors each year, most of mild or moderate magnitude.
