The eruption of Semeru volcano in Indonesia

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Whenever the highest mountain on the island of Java erupts, surrounding villages are covered in falling ash. Local authorities immediately begin evacuations and raise the alert level to the highest.

Semeru, located in East Java province, has been spewing hot ash clouds two kilometers high since noon local time today, and lava has already flowed seven kilometers down the mountain's slopes, according to a statement from the Indonesian Geological Survey.

The volcano's activity is high and has twice forced authorities to raise the alert level. Thanks to the preparedness of local residents and the timely response of authorities to evacuate the most vulnerable residents, no one was injured.

Evacuations have so far involved 300 residents from threatened villages in Lumajang district. All have been taken to government shelters. The volcano's high activity on Wednesday forced authorities to expand the danger zone to eight kilometers from the crater. At the same time, all people were advised to avoid the area along the Besuk Kobokan River, where lava is flowing.

Local media reports that authorities are trying to rescue 178 people who are stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring station. The group consists mainly of climbers and porters. They are currently safe because the station is located 4.5 kilometers from the crater on the northern slope of the mountain.

The Semeru volcano has erupted several times over the past two hundred years, but tens of thousands of people still live on its fertile slopes. There are 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Semeru last erupted in 2021, killing 51 people. Ten thousand people were evacuated and mud buried several villages.

Source: Guardian, Editorial Weathersunshine.com