Semeru Eruption Survivors Still Remain in Evacuation Camps

LUMAJANG, KOMPAS - Residents affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java, are still staying in evacuation centers. They occupy several evacuation locations at night, while during the morning until the afternoon, most have returned to their respective homes. They sift through the remaining belongings for those whose houses were damaged, as well as tending to their land.

Titin (30), one of the refugees residing at SDN 04 Supiturang, Pronojiwo District, is among those who are still enduring in the evacuation center with her husband and child. In fact, on Friday (21/11/2025) morning, her husband had to retrieve a mattress from their home in Gumukmas Hamlet, Supiturang Village.

The mattress will later be used as a sleeping surface for his two children, one of whom is only 2 years old. "I feel sorry for my little child. So I took the mattress to cover the carpet that has been used as a resting place for two nights. If other needs are already met, such as food and others," he said.

Titin's house has just been renovated and is in good condition. However, its location is at the edge, by the Curah Kobokan river. She is concerned that, in the current situation, danger could strike at any moment, particularly from rain-induced lahar floods.

In the evacuation site, several volunteers also provided health services, both physical and psychological. Trauma healing was conducted by the police as well as volunteers. The Emergency Disaster Team from Brawijaya University offered health check-ups and medications. They also provided trauma healing services.

"Psychologically, they are quite stable; perhaps some are sad due to the loss of their homes, but none have reached the point of depression. When my child sees them, there is no one who is isolated. When invited to play, their enthusiasm is quite high," said Breanna Andrea from the Faculty of Medicine.

Nurliza P from the Nursing Science department added that her team focuses on listening to the stories of child survivors and engages them in play and singing together. According to her, children who initially had no activities then felt happy. "In terms of physical health, it is more related to coughs, colds, and fevers. There are quite a few cases of respiratory infections, including body aches," said Nurliza.

Based on data from the Emergency Response Field Post for the Semeru Eruption at the Pronojiwo Subdistrict Office on November 19, there were 963 refugees, consisting of 807 individuals in the Pronojiwo area and 156 in Candipuro. However, on November 20, according to preliminary data on Friday morning, there were 645 (in the Pronojiwo area alone), with details of 192 at SMP 02 Pronojiwo, 214 at SDN 02 Supiturang, and 239 dispersed among residents' homes.

The Pronojiwo sub-district has experienced the most severe impact from this eruption. The total number of damaged buildings reaches around 200 units, with 21 units severely damaged or destroyed due to the hot ash clouds. The most significant damage occurred in the Sumbersari hamlet (Kamar A and Umbulan areas) of Supiturang Village.

Meanwhile, quoted from the page magma.esdm.go.id Semeru's activity throughout Thursday (20/11/2025), there were 134 eruption earthquakes or eruptions with an amplitude of 10-22 millimeters (mm) for 61-141 seconds, 1 hot cloud avalanche earthquake with an amplitude of 22 mm with an earthquake duration of 300 seconds, and 61 avalanche earthquakes with an amplitude of 2-25 mm with a duration of 29-133 seconds.

In addition, there were 11 instances of tremors with an amplitude of 3-8 mm, 2 instances of deep volcanic earthquakes with an amplitude of 10-25 mm, S-P 2-3 seconds and a duration of 17-24 seconds, 3 instances of distant tectonic earthquakes with an amplitude of 8-30 mm, S-P 38-51 seconds with a duration of 51-77 seconds. Additionally, there was 1 instance of flood vibrations with an amplitude of 25 mm, lasting for 6,829 seconds.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation continues to recommend that residents refrain from activities in the southeastern sector, along Besuk Kobokan, within a distance of 20 kilometers (km) from the summit. Beyond this distance, the public is advised not to engage in activities within 500 meters from the riverbank, along Besuk Kobokan, due to the potential risk of being affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lahar flows.

Residents are also urged not to engage in activities within an 8 km radius of the Semeru crater due to the risk of volcanic rock (pyroclastic) eruptions. They are advised to be vigilant regarding the potential for hot clouds, lava flows, and lahars along the river or valley that originates from the summit of Semeru, particularly along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as the potential for lahars in the small rivers that are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan.

Meanwhile, all climbers who were in the Ranu Kumbolo area during the Semeru eruption on Thursday successfully descended safely. A total of 187 climbers arrived gradually at the Climbing Permit Post in Ranu Pani Village, Senduro District.

The Head of the Surabaya Search and Rescue Office, Nanang Sigit, stated that monitoring is being conducted by the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) team along with joint search and rescue elements following the increased volcanic activity of Semeru. The TNBTS has closed the hiking trails since Wednesday night, a few hours after Semeru erupted.

"After being re-registered by TNBTS officers, all climbers have descended from Ranu Kumbolo in a healthy and safe condition. They arrived gradually since 12:14," said Nanang.