An eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has prompted Indonesia to declare the highest alert level, leading to evacuations and warnings for nearby residents regarding potential lahar floods and ashfall.
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, High Alert Declared
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, High Alert Declared
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki triggers a maximum alert and widespread safety measures as officials manage the situation closely.
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has erupted dramatically, sending an ash cloud soaring over 11 kilometers into the atmosphere. The event occurred on Tuesday at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), compelling the country's volcanology agency to issue the highest alert level. The eruption affected the tourist island of Flores, necessitating a 7km exclusion zone around the volcano, which stands at 1,584 meters (approximately one mile) high.
While there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries from this latest eruption, residents remain on high alert following previous volcanic activity in November that resulted in nine fatalities and compelled thousands to evacuate their homes. Additionally, the ash cloud led to flight cancellations, further impacting travel in the region.
Muhammad Wafid, the head of Indonesia's geology agency, has advised against any activities within the 7km exclusion zone surrounding the eruption site. Residents are also cautioned about the possibility of lahar floods, which can occur if heavy rains coincide with volcanic activity. To safeguard against the volcanic ash, local authorities are urging the use of face masks.
Evacuations are already underway, with reports indicating that at least one village has been cleared, and ashfall has been noticeable in multiple areas outside of the exclusion zone. A spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency has reiterated the importance of finding safe havens for residents around the volcano, as tremors continue to signal ongoing volcanic activity.
The latest eruption at Lewotobi Laki-Laki comes in the wake of a similar event in May, which had similarly prompted the declaration of the highest alert level for the area. The volcano's name, Laki-Laki, translates to "man" in Indonesian, and it is paired with the taller but less active volcano, Perempuan, which means "woman" in the local language.
