Lumajang, East Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister of Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy urged locals living in Mount Semeru's disaster-prone red zone areas in Lumajang District to relocate to new residences prepared by the local authority.
On Friday (July 7), the region was hit by torrential rains that caused landslides and were followed by flash floods due to the flow of cold lava from Mount Semeru.
During his visit to a refugee shelter in Jarit Village, Candipuro Sub-district here, on Saturday (July 8), the coordinating minister found some residents who received new homes in the relocation area are not moving there.
"When I checked earlier, I found some families that ought to already be living in their new permanent dwellings in relocation areas are not living there; they instead continue living in their current places," Effendy stated.
"Residents should stay in the new dwellings because their original homes were located in disaster-prone red areas of Mount Semeru," he emphasized.
Effendy appealed to residents to adhere to the government's directives for their safety by moving to their new homes in the relocation area in the neighboring Sumbermujur Village.
Before visiting the refugee shelter in Jarit Village, the coordinating minister inspected the aftermath of the cold lava flash floods in South Bondeli Hamlet of Sumberwuluh Village in Candipuro Sub-district.
Lumajang District Head Thoriqul Haq and East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono accompanied Effendy during the visit.
After inspecting a collapsed dam in the region, Effendy asked Haq to organize disaster response operations to mitigate other disaster potentials.
"I ask the Lumajang district head to immediately coordinate with relevant ministries to organize a permanent resolution after the cold lava flood disaster in Mount Semeru," the minister said.
He continued his visit to inspect the collapsed Kali Regoyo Bridge, also in Sumberwuluh Village, and distribute basic needs to locals isolated by the collapse of their only access to other regions.
Related news: PLN restores power supply in Semeru cold lava flood-affected areas
Related news: Mount Semeru shows activity with 21 eruption earthquakes: Official
Related news: Mount Semeru coughs up 800-meter-high column of ash: Official
