Mount Semeru Eruption

Mount. Semeru is a conical volcano located in Lumajang and Malang regions, East Java, Indonesia. Mount Semeru is the highest mountain on the island of Java, with a peak of Mahameru, 3,676 meters above sea level. The eruption created hot clouds and volcanic ash that affected 2 regions in East Indonesia, Lumajang and Malang. At least 14 people were killed and dozens were injured after Indonesia’s Semeru volcano erupted.. Disaster management teams continued to search for victims on ash covered land on Sunday as nine people were still missing. More than 129,000 people have been affected by this eruption.

The governor of East Java had deployed 3 military companies from Kodam V Brawijaya to affected locations in order to open access and conduct search and rescue. Even, our AKF Indonesia staff suffered with this Mount Semeru eruption. AKF Indonesia staff were implementing pumps and pipelines activities in near Pronojiwo, Lumajang regency. The field staffs were reported thirty minutes after the eruption and they are safe now. Our team reported:

1. Cold lava and sandy clouds caused the collapse of the Besuk Kobo’an bridge location in Piket Nol villafe, Lumajang regency. The bridge is very important since connecting Malang regency and Lumajang regency.
2. Thousand people are panic and flee to the safe locations without bringing anything. They need food, water and clothing.
3. The temperatures dropped to 2 degrees Celsius in the evening and 8 degrees Celsius in the day time made people evacuated in public facilities such as elementary schools, musholla, mosques be suffering so much.
4. It is rainy season in Indonesia now and it contribute to aggravating situation.