New Delhi: Indonesia has raised the warning on Semeru volcano to the highest level after the volcano on Java island erupted early on Sunday, the news agency Reuters reported quoting Kompas TV. The volcanic eruption spewed a column of ash high into the air.
Monsoon rains eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop 3,676-meter (12,060-foot) Mount Semeru, causing the eruption, according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari, citing information from the Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, as reported by The Associated Press.
Japan's Meteorology Agency, which was monitoring for the possibility of a tsunami there, said that the plume from the volcano reached a height of 50,000 feet (15 km).
'Hot avalanches' of lava slid down Semeru's eruption site, the AFP reported citing local officials.
The evacuation of people living near the volcano in East Java province had begun, a top regional administrator, Thoriqul Haq, told Kompas TV.
Several villages were blanketed with falling ash, blocking out the sun, but no casualties have been reported.
"Most of the road accesses have been closed since this morning. Now it's raining volcanic ash and it has covered the view of the mountain," Reuters reported quoting Bayu Deny Alfianto, a local volunteer.
Small eruptions were continuing and it was raining in the area, he added.
With the higher alert level, authorities warned residents not to conduct any activities within 8 km (5 miles) of Semeru's eruption centre, Kompas TV stated.
The eruption on the eastern part of Java island, some 640 km (400 miles) east of the capital Jakarta, follows a series of earthquakes on the west of the island, including one last month that killed more than 300 people.
(With inputs from agencies)