On Wednesday, 31st January 2024, several foreign tourists found themselves stranded as lava flooded from Mount Semeru while they were visiting Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in Lumajang, East Java. The Head of the Lumajang Regency Tourism Department, Yuli Harismawati, confirmed this incident on Thursday, 1st February 2024.
According to Yuli, the sequence of events started when the group of foreign tourists entered the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall area under sunny and favourable weather conditions. Accompanied by a tour guide, this group of foreign tourists intended to descend to the bottom of the waterfall to enjoy a closer view of its beauty.
@berliansyahaa info banjir tumpak sewu terkini 31 Januari 2024 #tumpaksewuwaterfall #lumajang #jawatimur #explore #airterjun #jawatimurlewat ♬ original sound – Sarah Cothran
Shortly thereafter, the tourists noticed mud splashes descending from the top of the waterfall, and it rapidly intensified. Responding quickly, all tourists promptly sought refuge in a safe location as the water flow suddenly surged.
The guide from the tourist group promptly contacted another guide to initiate the evacuation process for the stranded tourists. “A total of 20 guides successfully evacuated all foreign and domestic tourists who were trapped beneath the Tumpak Sewu waterfall when the lava flood subsided. Everyone emerged unharmed,” stated Yuli.
The Lumajang Tourism Department subsequently declared that the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall tourist destination must undergo temporary closure in the event of rain or cloudy weather after this incident. This precaution is taken due to the potential occurrence of lava floods from Mount Semeru during periods of high rainfall.
Previously, a circulating video on social media depicted a substantial lava flood at Tumpak Sewu waterfall. The usually clear water had turned murky brownish as a result of the lava flood.
Get to Know Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in Lumajang, East Java
Tumpak Sewu is a waterfall with a height of approximately 120 meters, classified as a tiered waterfall. Its cliff-surrounded shape makes it a highly sought-after destination for nature explorers. Situated at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level, this waterfall straddles the border between Lumajang Regency and Malang Regency.
Located approximately 47 kilometres from Malang, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall can be accessed through various means of transportation, including trains and tourist buses.
The name “Tumpak Sewu” is derived from Javanese, where ‘Tumpak’ means riding, and ‘Sewu’ means thousand. Hence, it can be interpreted as if there are a thousand waterfalls surrounding the cliff. Although the actual number of waterfalls doesn’t reach a thousand, the beauty of Tumpak Sewu is on par with other prominent waterfalls such as Niagara Falls.
Numerous people describe the waterfall’s shape as resembling a curtain. If fortunate, observers may witness a rainbow spanning the waterfall’s base, a phenomenon often occurring after rainfall. The site is accessible daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. Before visiting this attraction, it is advisable to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts to prevent unforeseen complications.
