Indonesian authorities have raised from Alert (level three) to Caution (level four) the emergency for the eruption of Mount Semeru volcano on Sunday, located on the island of Java, after it has returned to emit hot clouds for the third consecutive day with a range of 10 kilometers.
Some residents had begun evacuating the area independently, Kompas television reported, in the villages of Curah Kobokan, Kajar Kuning Hamlet, Sumber Wuluh Village and Penanggal Lumajang Village.
In parallel, the local government has closed the entrances to the nearby areas of Lumajang Regency and Malang Regency, which are guarded by security officers.
Other nearby villages have also begun evacuation throughout the day as the eruption made its way down the slope of Mount Semeru, officials said.