ASIATODAY.ID, LUMAJANG — A powerful eruption of Mount Semeru has once again struck Lumajang Regency, East Java, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure and education facilities.
Dozens of homes, a local elementary school, and a community prayer facility were severely damaged as pyroclastic flows and volcanic material swept through residential areas.
According to the East Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), 21 houses and Supiturang 02 Elementary School suffered heavy damage.
“A total of 21 homes were severely damaged, along with one public facility, an elementary school,” said Satriyo Nurseno, Head of Emergency and Logistics at BPBD East Java, on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
A prayer hall was also destroyed, while ash and debris blocked the district road connecting Sumbersari and Gumukmas Hamlets. Livestock losses were also reported, with four cattle and 120 goats affected by volcanic material.
191 Residents Sheltered, Roads Blocked by Volcanic Debris
The number of evacuees has decreased to 191 people, down from an initial 1,156, as some residents have returned home to inspect their properties. Eight evacuation sites remain active across Pronojiwo and Candipuro subdistricts.
BPBD has deployed six heavy machines to clear blocked routes, distribute masks, evacuate livestock, and help secure residents’ belongings. Joint teams also cleared volcanic material on the Gladak Perak Bridge.
Meanwhile, three individuals suffered burn injuries and are being treated at Haryoto Regional Hospital and Pasirian Regional Hospital. All hiking activities to Mount Semeru and Ranu Kumbolo have been suspended, with 178 people still stranded in the Ranu Kumbolo area, including hikers, porters, officers, and a team from the Ministry of Tourism.
PVMBG Raises Semeru’s Alert Level to IV
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) elevated Mount Semeru’s alert status to Level IV on Wednesday, November 19, at 17:00 local time. The decision followed a series of continuous eruptions from 14:13 to 18:11 WIB, with pyroclastic flows traveling over 13 kilometers along the Besuk Kobokan drainage.
Muhammad Wafid, Head of the Geological Agency, reported intensified and hazardous incandescent lava avalanches.
“Seismic activity shows that magma supply continues beneath the volcano, accompanied by increasing pressure near the surface,” he said.
PVMBG noted high volcanic seismicity, including eruption quakes, avalanches, and harmonic tremors. With persistent cloud cover, direct visual monitoring has been limited.
Authorities Set Strict No-Activity Zones
PVMBG issued two critical recommendations:
1. No activities are allowed in the southeastern sector along the Besuk Kobokan River up to 20 kilometers from the summit, and residents must avoid areas within 500 meters of the riverbanks due to risks of pyroclastic flows and lahars.
2. No activities are permitted within an 8-kilometer radius of the summit because of the danger posed by volcanic bombs and other ejecta. (AT Network)
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