Updated On: 05 December, 2022 08:47 AM IST | Jakarta | Agencies
Authorities raise the warning level to the highest, evacuate nearly 2,000 people from Java island

A man looks on as Mount Semeru releases volcanic materials during an eruption Sunday. Pic/AP
A volcano erupted in Indonesia on Sunday spewing a cloud of ash 15 km into the sky and forcing the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people, authorities said, as they issued their highest warning for the area in the east of Java island. There were no immediate reports of any casualties from the eruption of the Semeru volcano and Indonesia’s transport ministry said that there was no impact on air travel but notices had been sent to two regional airports for vigilance.
“Most roads have been closed since this morning and now it is raining volcanic ash and it has covered the view of the mountain,” community volunteer Bayu Deny Alfianto said. Semeru, the tallest mountain on Java, erupted last year killing more than 50 people and displacing thousands. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said 1,979 people had been moved to 11 shelters and authorities had distributed masks to residents. The eruption began at 2:46 a.m. (1946 GMT on Saturday) and rescue, search and evacuation efforts were going on.