JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have issued an alert as Semeru volcano erupted on Sunday in Java Island and spewed a column of ash 1.5 kilometers into the sky. The eruption of the highest mountain of Java around 800 km southeast of Jakarta sparked evacuations of nearby areas.
Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center said that the increased threat level shows the danger has threatened people due to the high intensity of the volcano. Spokesperson of Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center Hendra Gunawan told the media that Japan’s weather department issued an alert that a tsunami might arrive at Yaeyama and Miyak islands.
No internet on Java Island
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson said that hot avalanches were also reported due to volcano eruptions. The spokesperson said that no casualties were reported following the eruption but warned nearby people not to travel within 8 km of the center.
There is no internet or phone signal after the eruption in the area. Local rescue officials also distributed free masks among the people due to the threat of polluted air. It may be recalled that as many as 51 people were killed last year after mount Semeru erupted. Indonesia has as many as 130 volcanoes. More than 400 people died due to a volcano in the strait between Sumatra and Java erupting. – APP
