Indonesia’s Semeru volcano spewing ash clouds several kms into sky, govt issues highest-level alert – Firstpost

Indonesian Semeru The volcano has erupted, sending rapid pyroclastic flows down its slopes as the country’s volcano agency raised the alert status of Java island’s tallest mountain to the top level.

The eruption on Wednesday sent a plume of ash up to 5.6 km (3.48 miles) into the atmosphere, according to the agency. Authorities have advised residents to stay at least 2.5 km (1.55 mi) away from the crater due to the ongoing dangers.

Mountain Semeru The eruption, known as a pyroclastic flow, occurred at 2:13 pm local time (0713 GMT) in East Java, about 310 kilometers west of the tourist destination Bali, according to Muhammad, head of the Indonesian geological agency. Wafid Said.

“The public is advised not to engage in activities within 8 kilometers (5 miles) of the crater or summit of Mt. Semeru Due to the risk of collision with ejected rocks,” he said in a statement.

The national disaster agency said a plume of ash rose up to 13 kilometers (eight miles) into the air.

Its spokesperson Abdul Muhari Said that at least 300 villagers living near the volcano have been evacuated to two temporary shelters. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The geological agency also said there is seismic activity on Mt. Semeru Stayed high. on officials nagurah Rai Airport in Bali said flight schedules were running normally so far.

an explosion by Semeru More than 50 people died and more than 5,000 homes were damaged in 2021, with about 10,000 people forced to seek shelter.

Indonesia is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes considerable volcanic and seismic activity.

There are approximately 130 active volcanoes in the Southeast Asian archipelago.

with inputs from agencies