Mount Semeru Volcano Erupts in Indonesia, Over 2,000 People Flee

Mount Semeru a volcano in Indonesia erupted on Sunday, sending hot ash clouds over a mile into the sky and rivers of lava down its side, forcing nearly 2,000 people to flee.

Authorities raised the alert level following the eruption of the highest mountain on Java, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) southeast of Jakarta’s capital.

According to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari, “cloud plumes” caused by the irruption at the top of the volcano rushed down after the eruption.

According to Volcanologist Hendra Gunawan, there were no casualties or injuries immediately following the eruption.

He warned nearby residents not to travel within 8 kilometers (five miles) of the volcano after the threat level was raised to four.

According to Thai PBS, 1,979 people were evacuated to shelters, with at least 6 villages affected by the eruption.

Local television showed evacuees of Mount Semeru volcano, seeking refuge in a school.

Massive black plumes rising from Mount Semeru volcano could be seen, engulfing the sky, and blocking the sun in nearby villages.

According to local media, the villages were being battered by torrential rains by the afternoon, and the rain was mixing with volcanic ash, causing lahar warnings.

Residents were told to avoid an area 13kms along a river in the direction of the volcano ash plume.

The majority of residents in the two most vulnerable villages have evacuated, according to Patria Dwi Hastiadi, spokesperson for the Lumajang Disaster Mitigation Agency.

According to Kyodo news agency, the country’s weather agency warned of a possible tsunami in Miyako and Yaeyama in Okinawa Japan, but no significant tidal changes were observed.

According to an AFP journalist, the internet was down in the Mt.Semeru area after the eruption, and phone signals were spotty.

Because of the threat of dangerous PM2.5 air particles to vulnerable residents, rescue officials distributed free face masks to the public.

Mount Semeru erupted one year ago today, killing at least 51 people and damaging over 5,000 homes.

The disaster filled streets with mud and ash, swallowing houses and vehicles, and nearly 10,000 people sought refuge.

Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates often collide, resulting in intense volcanic and seismic activity.

There are nearly 130 active volcanoes in the Southeast Asian archipelago nation.

In late 2018, a volcano between the islands of Java and Sumatra erupted, causing an underwater landslide and tsunami that killed over 400 people.