Mount Semeru, located in East Java Province, Indonesia,  continues to erupt, and on 4 December at 19.46 UTC (02.46 local time), an ash column with moderate to thick intensity was observed approximately 1,500 m above the summit.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has raised the alert status of Mount Semeru from level III to level IV (highest).

According to the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), nearly 2,000 people have been displaced to 11 evacuation points. National and local authorities are providing help for those affected with family equipment and masks, to reduce the impact of respiratory health risks due to volcanic ash.

Any activity within a 5 km radius of the summit of Mount Semeru has been suspended, authorities recommended keeping distance from the south-eastern sector of Semeru, along Besuk Kobokan, as this area has the potential to be affected by the expansion of hot clouds and lava flows. 

The last deadly eruption of Mount Semeru in December 2021 resulted in at least 51 fatalities and more than 10,000 displaced people. Warnings for heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning have been issued for East Java Province.

UPDATE: 

• Following Mount Semeru’s eruption in East Java Province, on 4 December, six villages in four sub-districts have been affected. The eruption has displaced 2,489 people in 11 evacuation points. No casualties have been reported and there has been no immediate disruption of air travel.
• Moreover, following Cianjur earthquake in West Java, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported around 7,700 people were injured due to falling structures and debris while 73,000 people were displaced, and about 62,000 housing units and 368 schools were either damaged or destroyed. The government confirmed that assistance for renovating houses affected by the earthquake would begin this week.
• Indonesia experiences multiple earthquakes above 6 M this week including 6.2 M earthquake in East Java province on 6 December at a depth of 10 km. One person was injured and four houses were damaged in the town of Garut and 6.1 M earthquake in West Java at the of 104 km on 8 December according to BNPB.