Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS) expresses its deep concern over the eruption of Mount Semeru, which has severely affected communities in Lumajang Regency, East Java. According to field reports, approximately 956 residents have evacuated to several designated safe locations, and the number is expected to continue rising as data collection progresses.
On Wednesday (19 November), Mount Semeru’s volcanic activity escalated sharply. A loud explosion was heard at around 16:00 local time, followed by a towering column of volcanic ash rising to 2,000 meters above the summit. The ash drifted toward the northern and northwestern slopes, blanketing villages surrounding the highest volcano on the island of Java.
Seismic instruments recorded 118 eruption quakes, a pyroclastic flow signal, and 30 avalanche quakes. A sustained tremor with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm lasted for 16 minutes—an indication of a strong eruptive episode.
Within one hour, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) elevated Semeru’s alert level from Level III (“Siaga”) to Level IV (“Awas”), the highest alert status in Indonesia’s volcano monitoring system.
The National Disaster Management Agency’s (BNPB) Emergency Operations Center (Pusdalops) reported that three villages were among the most affected: Supit Urang and Oro-Oro Ombo in Pronojiwo Sub-district, and Penanggal in Candipuro Sub-district.
Meanwhile, the Lumajang Regency Government has declared a seven-day Emergency Response Status, effective from 19 to 25 November 2025. Authorities have also enforced an exclusion zone of 8 kilometres from the crater to protect residents from potential hazards such as rock ejection and rain-triggered lava flows.
Six evacuation sites have been prepared across Pronojiwo and Candipuro. These include SD 04 Supiturang hosting around 100 evacuees, SD Sumberurip 02 with approximately 200 people, and Masjid Ar-Rahmah which currently accommodates up to 500 residents.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is leading the ground response, distributing food and non-food assistance while conducting assessments at evacuation centres.
For YCWS, this disaster is not merely a volcanic eruption—it is a chain of impacts that challenges the resilience of families and communities, particularly children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.
During this emergency phase, YCWS underscores the importance of rapid and targeted assistance. Immediate needs include masks to protect against volcanic ash, sleeping mats for evacuees in temporary shelters, and ready-to-eat meals for displaced families.
YCWS also reaffirmed its commitment to monitor developments closely and strengthen coordination with humanitarian networks such as the Humanitarian Forum Indonesia (HFI), ACT Indonesia Forum, and other organizations already operating in the field.
Amid the uncertainty, YCWS calls on the broader public to uphold solidarity. “What matters most right now is ensuring people’s safety. We remain committed to supporting ongoing humanitarian efforts in the affected areas,” the YCWS team stated.
As of this writing, Mount Semeru’s volcanic activity continues to be closely monitored, while nearby airports remain operational despite the issuance of an orange VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation) alert.
