Indonesia: Almost 2,000 people fled their homes after the eruption of the volcano Semeru

The Indonesian authorities raised the alert level in the vicinity of the Semeru volcano in southeast Java this Sunday to the highest level due to “increased volcanic activity” after an eruption registered this morning that caused the evacuation of residents. already almost 2000 people.

The measure is due to the fact that “activities rash and avalanches from hot clouds Mount Seven remain very high”, which increases the risk of formation of clouds of gases and water vapor or lava flows due to shower It falls in the area, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) explains in a note.

“Due to the increase in volcanic activity, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Risk Mitigation (PVMBG) has upgraded the status Mount Seven from “Alarm” to “Caution” or from level III to level IV,” the agency said in a statement.

BNPB reported that Semeru, located in the Indonesian regency of Lumajang, released a column gray ashwith a moderate to high intensity that reached 1.5 km above the level of the crater from 2:46 local time (GMT+7).

A total of 1979 people, residents of 11 districts around the volcano, have been displaced so far due to the deteriorating situation. weather and intense rainy during the day, which led to ash falling in various areas of the city of Lumajang.

The department added that so far no deaths have been recorded as a result of the volcanic eruption.

In addition, a joint team consisting of local authorities, the National Search and Rescue Agency, volunteers and other relevant agencies “continues to conduct rescue, search and evacuation efforts.”

Emergency services distributed a total of 10,000 masks fabrics, 10,000 medical masks and 4,000 children’s masks to reduce the health impact of volcanic ash, and the Red Cross is working to set up a community kitchen to help the homeless.

In a video released by the BNPB, a thick wall of smoke and ash can be seen moving through several cities attached to Mount Semeruas well as some damaged buildings and people receiving help from lifeguards on the streets.

Emergency teams monitoring the situation from the ground urged residents not to carry out any activities in the southeast of the city of Besuk Kobokan, 13 kilometers from the top of the mountain and the center eruption.

They also asked to stay away from the banks of the rivers because of the “possibility of being affected by the expansion hot clouds and streams lava at a distance of up to 17 kilometers from the top “and not move within a radius of 5 kilometers from the crater because of the danger of ejection of red-hot stones by the volcano.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said it was monitoring the possibility tsunami following the volcanic eruption, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, although Indonesian authorities did not comment on the potential risk of tidal waves.

eruption Seven3676 meters high and one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesiasowed terror among the residents of Lumajang city and forced many to leave their homes and flee in haste, as seen in various videos posted on social media.

A year ago, an unexpected volcanic explosion killed more than 40 people, forced about 5,000 people to leave their homes, and injured several dozen people. Burns.

Indonesia is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, in the region of the Great seismic activity with about 120 active volcanoes and which is shaken by thousands of shocks every year, mostly of light or medium strength.

EFE