Jakarta Mount Semeru in East Java erupted on Saturday, sending out a column of smoke and volcanic ashes into the air while triggering lahar on close-by rivers. A minimum of one died, and dozens of others were hurt with burns, while countless individuals left their homes to a number of evacuation centers.
2 sand miners were missing, and 8 of their associates were likewise caught at their mining site as lahar cut off their escape paths, Indah Amperawati Masdar, Lumajang’s deputy district head, stated on Saturday.
The miners handled to send out a video message notifying their condition before their signal was cut off.
” We could not connect with them any longer since the phone couldn’t be reached. This afternoon they sent out a video requesting help, but the officers might not leave because lahar had actually reached their place. We are waiting for it to subside. Ideally, they are safe,” Indah said.
No Air Traffic Disturbance
The Mount Semeru Volcano Observation Post reported the first blush of volcanic ash and the odor of sulfur around 3 p.m. local time, with a hot ash cloud being up to the southeast toward Pronojiwo sub-district Lumajang District.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Company (BMKG) forecasts that volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Semeru will tend to move west to the southwest over the next 6 hours.
AirNav Indonesia said that the Mount Semeru eruption had actually not impacted flights over the area or operations of nearby airports, including Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java, Rosedi, AirNav’s corporate secretary said in a declaration.
Still, AirNav and Juanda Airport were conducting paper tests to determine the concentration of ashes in the air, Rosedi stated. A high ash concentration is harmful to air travel, as it can block the plane jet engines.
He said that AirNav had actually also rerouted flights to avoid flying near Mount Semeru.
Quick Action
Authorities stated countless individuals in Malang District and Lumajang District were affected by the eruption. They will require drinking water, face masks, correct clothing, ready-to-eat food and beverages, raincoats, tarpaulins, and blankets.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has told the Head of the National Disaster Management Firm (BNPB), Maj. Gen. Suharyanto, to go to East Java and lead the mitigation effort right away.
Catatan yang dihimpun Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG), guguran lava pijar teramati dengan jarak luncur kurang lebih 500-800 meter dengan pusat guguran berada kurang lebih 500 meter di bawah kawah. pic.twitter.com/i3IorFweRf
— BNPB Indonesia (@BNPB_Indonesia) December 4, 2021
” Under the direction of the President, we will right away go to Lumajang at the first opportunity to ensure the handling of the emergency situation, especially concerning refugees, can be carried out properly and rapidly,” said Suharyanto.
He stated BNPB had actually asked the Indonesian Military (TNI) for support in terms of workers and equipment.
Rain Triggered Eruption
Head of the Geological Firm of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Eko Budi Lelono thought the eruption of Mount Semeru that occurred on Saturday afternoon was related to high rains around the mountain peak. The rain caused the lava lip to collapse, which triggered an eruption.
” It seems that there is certainly a connection with high rainfall, triggering the lava lip to collapse, setting off an eruption,” Eko said on Saturday.
Eko came to the conclusion after seismic data just showed a low level of activities around Mount Semeru in the previous few days.
” In regards to seismicity, it is fairly low. There is no sign of an increase in lava or surface area rock level. The seismic activity of Mount Semeru is actually not extreme, which shows that the supply of magma is relatively normal,” Eko stated.
