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Locals told to be alert as Bromo rumbles
Local authorities have called on villagers living around Mount Bromo to keep a watchful eye in anticipation of a larger eruption that could occur at anytime, an official says
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ocal authorities have called on villagers living around Mount Bromo to keep a watchful eye in anticipation of a larger eruption that could occur at anytime, an official says.
Mt. Bromo Emergency Response Team chief Gede Suantika said that the amplitude of the shallow volcanic quake had reached 36 millimeters, or approaching the maximum amplitude of 40 millimeters, as occurred in 2004 when the volcano erupted and claimed the lives of two tourists.
At least 20 shallow volcanic tremors took place for 12 hours on Saturday, Gede said.
“Despite the rising volcanic activity, we don’t need to evacuate villagers because the rumbling slopes so far spewed [only] ash and sand,” he said, adding that his team would advise on evacuation should the volcano start expelling hot lava, rock grains and sand.
Team deputy Lt. Col. Hery Setiono called for people not to panic. “We have prepared everything for evacuation spots,” he said.
The team had prepared 10 evacuation locations for 699 Cemoro Lawang residents who live in the hamlet nearest the volcano, Hery added.
The evacuation shelters are situated 10 kilometers away from the volcano.
Ngadas village head Karono said most residents are still going about their activities as usual. The village is located 15 kilometers from the volcano.
However, Karono advised residents to keep a watchful eye in anticipation of a worsening situation.
“We suggest villagers do not to leave their homes unless they have urgent things to do,” he said Saturday, as quoted by kompas.com.
The volcano spewed ash again Saturday morning at 5:09 a.m., he added.
Earlier this week the local administration raised the alert level at Mount Bromo, known as one of the top tourist destinations in East Java, to its highest level, calling on locals and visitors to stay off the volcano, which is located 2,392 meters above sea level.
Despite the alert, some local figures played down the warning.
Serpadi, 65, a leading figure in the Tengger community, deemed Mt. Bromo’s rumblings as “normal and will do no harm to the villagers”.
Serpadi doubted the situation would worsen, superstitiously linking what is happening at Mt. Bromo with the eruptions at Mt. Merapi in Central Java, which claimed more than 300 lives.
“It’s kind of wedding where both [volcanoes] are holding celebrations. If Mt. Merapi made a huge [eruption] festivity, then here the celebration will be modest,” he said.
