The Mount Semeru eruption did affect the cattle
Lumajang, E Java (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Veterinarian Association (PDHI)-East Java chapter has deployed 31 members to the disaster zone of Mount Semeru's eruption in Lumajang District to tend to the locals' affected cattle.

"We have commenced our door-to-door service since yesterday," Chairperson of the PHDI-East Java chapter Puput Rijal stated in Lumajang District, East Java Province, on Thursday.

Apart from providing healthcare service to the affected cattle in areas, such as the hamlets of Sukosari and Kebonagung in Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro Sub-district, the veterinarians also hand out vitamins, Rijal remarked.

The PDHI members partaking in the community service mainly come from the districts of Lumajang and Jember in East Java, Rijal remarked, adding that the PDHI collaborates with the Lumajang agriculture office for conducting this mission.

"The Mount Semeru eruption did affect the cattle. However, alhamdulillah (thank God), the condition is not as bad as earlier projected," Rijal stated.

The veterinarians' on-field findings showed that several cattle suffered from burn injuries, while most had developed minor syndromes, including that related to breathing, Rijal added.

Mount Semeru, located in two districts -- Malang and Lumajang -- in East Java Province, erupted on December 4, 2021, at around 3 p.m. local time. The mountain spewed incandescent lava while emitting rumbling sounds and thick gray smoke.

To evacuate victims of the Mt Semeru eruption, the East Java Police has prepared 14 excavators that will be operated by the Lumajang Police in coordination with the Mount Semeru Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Of the 14 excavators, four will be deployed in Curah Kobokan Village in Pronojiwo Sub-district and 10 in Jarit Village, Pasirian Sub-district.

The East Java Police has also provided eight dump trucks, one tanker truck containing diesel fuel, and two trucks carrying excavators to assist in the evacuation of victims.

On Tuesday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inspected areas affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru to ensure assistance for refugees.

"I come here to ensure that we have put in all our efforts to find the remaining victims and evacuate them," he stated in Lumajang District.

"We are also looking at the plan to repair infrastructure damaged by the eruption," President Jokowi stated.

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Translator: Zumrotun S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
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