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Volunteers prepare for anticipated eruption
The Malang branch of the Indonesia Red Cross (PMI) began preparing taround 400 volunteers Friday in anticipation of the possible eruption of the nearby Mount Semeru
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The Malang branch of the Indonesia Red Cross (PMI) began preparing taround 400 volunteers Friday in anticipation of the possible eruption of the nearby Mount Semeru.
The volunteers were distributed to the four districts of Poncokusumo, Ampelgading, Dampit and Tirtoyudo, the areas nearest to the 3,676-meter volcano, the highest in Java.
The four districts, located on the northern, western and southern slopes of the volcano, are considered the most vulnerable if an eruption takes place. The volunteers were tasked with establishing areas for possible evacuation spots for survivors.
"We have also prepared military tents that we can use as refugee tents in the event of a worst-case scenario," said Muji Utomo, PMI Malang natural disaster management head, adding each tent could accommodate up to 50 people.
He also said his office had prepared two physicians, a dentist and five paramedics ready for deployment in emergency response. Two public kitchen trucks have also been provided, along with food supplies.
"Our volunteers are capable of preparing food for 1,000 people in just two hours," Muji said.
Mt. Semeru has been spewing lava and volcanic ash. Hot lava is expected to pass through Pronojiwo in Lumajang regency in the event of an eruption.
Although any such eruption will likely have no direct impact on residential areas in Malang, Muji warned people to be on alert for volcanic ash and hot vapors.
The regency administration has prepared four community health centers for that purpose in the four districts of Ampelgading, Tirtoyudo, Wajak and Poncokusumo.
Bagiyo Setyono, head of the Malang regency administration's telecommunications and coding division, said the alert status for Mt. Semeru has been raised from third to second highest level,
He added his office had projected that an eruption could send volcanic material and hot lava as far afield as areas in Lumajang. But he also said Malang residents had to stay on alert because there was also the possibility that volcanic material and hot lava could find their way into the Glidik and Manjing rivers in Malang.
People could follow daily activities, Bagiyo said.
"Just follow the instructions" from the disaster team, Bagiyo said.
