JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities raised the warning on Semeru volcano to the highest level on Sunday, Kompas TV reported, after an eruption spewed a column of ash high into the air.
The evacuation of people living near the volcano in East Java province had begun, a top regional administrator, Thoriqul Haq, told the broadcaster.
Warga Lereng Semeru Supit Urang Mengungsi pic.twitter.com/U5N4NNynkU
— lumajangsatu.com (@lumajangsatu1) December 4, 2022
The plume from the volcano reached a height of 50,000 feet (15 km), said Japan’s Meteorology Agency, which was monitoring for the possibility of a tsunami there.
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El volcán Semeru entró en erupción en la isla de Java en Indonesia, las autoridades emitieron una advertencia de peligro máximo pic.twitter.com/4t2leq1nm9— Augusto Damián (@Gato_a_obscuras) December 4, 2022
Telah terjadi Awan Panas Guguran Gunung Semeru do Dusun Gumukmas. Supiturang. Pronojiwo Lumajang, Jatim. Minggu, (4/11). @HerryFTanjung pic.twitter.com/z8TXWc063n
— Radio Elshinta (@RadioElshinta) December 4, 2022
“Most of the road accesses have been closed since this morning. Now its raining volcanic ash and it has covered the view of the mountain,” Bayu Deny Alfianto, a local volunteer told Reuters by phone.
Small eruptions were continuing and it was raining in the area, he said.
Petugas dan relawan memantau arah Awan Panas Semeru di Dusun Kajar Kuning Desa Sumberwuluh Kecamatan Candipuro pic.twitter.com/I2uUs6ety5
— lumajangsatu.com (@lumajangsatu1) December 4, 2022
With the higher alert level, authorities warned residents not to conduct any activities within 8 km (5 miles) of Semeru’s eruption centre, Kompas TV said.
