November 19, 2025 | 09:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hot clouds and eruptive activity were reported at Mount Semeru, East Java, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, prompting Indonesia’s Geological Agency to urge residents and visitors to avoid all activities around the volcano, which straddles Malang and Lumajang regencies in East Java.
Geological Agency Head Muhammad Wafid said the eruption began at 02:13 PM local time and showed no signs of slowing. By 05:00 PM, authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to Level IV, the highest level, known locally as Awas.
Wafid confirmed that eruptions and lava flows were still occurring, accompanied by persistent seismic activity at the 3,676-meter volcano.
“The recorded tremors indicate a continuing supply of material from beneath Mount Semeru, alongside active surface emissions and eruptions,” he said in a written statement.
Under the Awas status, the Geological Agency has instructed the public to stay clear of all areas around Semeru, particularly the southeastern sector along the Besuk Kobokan valley, up to 20 kilometers from the summit.
Outside that zone, residents are also advised to avoid activities within 500 meters of the riverbanks connected to Besuk Kobokan.
Wafid further urged people to stay at least 8 kilometers away from the crater due to the high risk of pyroclastic material and rockfall.
According to monitoring by the Lumajang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Wednesday’s eruption sent ash plumes soaring up to 2,000 meters above the summit and produced hot cloud avalanches that traveled at least 10 kilometers from the crater.
The Lumajang BPBD dispatched a Rapid Reaction Team (TRC) to assist residents in affected areas.
“We have deployed the TRC to advise residents in zones vulnerable to hot clouds to immediately secure themselves and evacuate,” said Lumajang BPBD head Isnugroho, as quoted by Antara.
Authorities have urged communities living near Semeru to temporarily evacuate while the alert level remains at its highest. Vulnerable areas include Sumberwuluh Village, Curah Kobokan, Kamar Kajang, and Supitarang.
“Residents must remain alert and stay out of danger zones until the situation is declared safe. We advise people to secure themselves at least until 9 p.m., and if conditions allow, they may return home afterward,” Isnugroho said.
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