In recent times, the Lewotobi volcano in eastern Indonesia has been showing intense activity, with at least 8 eruptions occurring since the beginning of this month. Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for the volcano to the highest level and issued safety warnings to residents in the surrounding areas.
The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) announced on Sunday (May 18th) that Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted volcanic ash reaching heights of 3000 to 5000 meters. Images shared by the center showed thick clouds of volcanic ash spewing out from the volcano’s crater.
The head of the center, Muhammad Wafid, stated that monitoring data indicates the volcano is still highly active and there is a possibility of larger eruptions in the future. Therefore, the alert level for the volcano was raised to the highest level, Level 4, starting from 8 pm on the 18th.
Wafid added that irregular rumbling noises can be clearly heard from the observatory station. On Monday morning at 9:36 am, the 1,703-meter-high volcano erupted again, sending an ash column 1.2 kilometers into the sky.
Authorities have instructed people to refrain from any activities within a radius of at least 6 kilometers around the volcano to prevent injuries from falling rocks or volcanic debris flows. Additionally, Wafid strongly urged local residents to wear masks to prevent inhaling hazardous volcanic ash that could threaten their health.
The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation also issued a special warning, advising vigilance in case of heavy rainfall, which could trigger cold lahar volcanic mudflows. These mudflows, carrying a large amount of sediment and volcanic debris, possess a high level of destructiveness, posing a serious threat to communities residing downstream.
Currently, the local government has not ordered the evacuation of residents or the cancellation of flights, but authorities are urging the public to stay alert for the latest safety information released officially in order to prepare for any emergencies.
During the eruption of the Lewotobi volcano in March this year, some airlines had to cancel or delay multiple flights to Bali. In November last year, a violent eruption of the volcano resulted in at least 9 fatalities and forced thousands of residents to evacuate, highlighting its undeniable potential threat.
Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world, with over 120 active volcanoes nationwide. It holds a leading position globally in volcanic activity and earthquake frequency.