Priyanka Tiwari
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Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted on Thursday night, spewing an ash cloud over 8 kilometers (5 miles) into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert status to the highest level. The eruption, which occurred in East Nusa Tenggara province, follows a series of smaller eruptions since March 13, according to the national geological agency.
Flight Disruptions and Evacuations
The volcanic ash prompted Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways, to cancel its flights between Australia and Bali on Friday morning. However, the airline stated that services are expected to resume by the afternoon.
A spokesperson for Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali Airport) confirmed that operations are ongoing, although seven international flights were cancelled and some domestic flights were delayed.
Authorities reported that one person was injured during evacuation efforts, but further details on the extent or logistics of evacuations have not yet been provided.
Volcano History and Continued Activity
Lewotobi Laki-laki is a frequently active volcano. In November last year, it erupted violently, resulting in nine deaths and thousands of evacuations due to hot rock and lava flows impacting nearby villages.
Thursday’s eruption renewed concerns, although the number of affected residents remains unclear. In previous statements, Indonesian officials had discussed relocating residents permanently due to ongoing volcanic threats.
The geological agency also warned of the potential for lava floods and confirmed continued minor eruptions into Friday morning.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Landscape
Indonesia is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes and lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. The country's location atop multiple tectonic plates makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and eruptions.
