TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned carrier Garuda Indonesia diverted Jakarta-Malang flights to Surabaya on Saturday, 25 August. The diversion was carried out due to volcanic ash of Mount Semeru.
In a press release yesterday, Garuda Indonesia referred to Himawari 8 Volcanic Ash Advisory which stated there was spread of ash around Malang. The airlines were GA 290/291 and GA 292/293 route of Jakarta-Malang to Surabaya.
However, the volcanic ash did not affect the hiking activities in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS).
"Nothing is changed. The status of Mount Semeru still on alert," said the hiking guide from Semeru Volunteer Friends (SAVERU), Sukaryo alias Cakyo, via a short message, Sunday, August 26.
As of press time, the status of Mount Semeru is still on alert level II. The mount hiking activities are limited to a radius of 4 kilometers from the summit or at Kalimati Post, as recommended by the Volcanology Center and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG).
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA