Inp.polri.go.id - Lumajang.  Hundreds of residents in Lumajang, East Java, were trapped since Wednesday after cold volcanic mudflows from Mount Semeru inundated three hamlets in Gondoruso Village, cutting off road access and destroying a bridge linking Pasirian and Tempursari districts.

“About 300 families are isolated in Kaliwelang, Liwek, and Glendang Petung hamlets after the volcanic mudflow flood broke through a dike and washed away the connecting bridge,” said Gondoruso Village Head Maman Suparman, as quoted by antaranews.com. 

The village authorities are coordinating with the Lumajang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) to open access and build an emergency route.

The volcanic mudflow followed hours of heavy rain on Mount Semeru’s peak, which also trapped six sand miners who later escaped safely. 

The disaster occurred just hours before Semeru erupted again early Thursday (6/11/2025), spewing a 1-kilometer-high ash column. Authorities maintained the volcano’s alert at Level II and warned residents to stay at least 8 kilometers from the southeast sector and riverbanks prone to hot clouds and volcanic mudflows.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)