Priyanka Tiwari
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Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on the island of Flores in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted three times on Friday, sending an ash cloud as high as 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) into the sky. The eruption led authorities to raise the alert to the highest level and expand the danger zone around the volcano.
Heightened Activity and Seismic Warning
According to Indonesia’s geological agency, volcanic activity at the site has escalated over the past week. Hundreds of earthquakes have been recorded near the volcano, and visible signs of volcanic unrest have intensified.
In response, officials extended the exclusion zone from 7 kilometers to 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) from the crater. Residents and visitors are urged to stay outside the restricted zone and remain cautious, especially during heavy rainfall which may trigger lava flows along rivers originating from the volcano.
Impact on Air Travel: Flight Cancellations and Delays
The ash cloud has disrupted air travel in the region. Several airlines cancelled flights between Australia and Bali, Indonesia's top tourist destination. Other international and domestic flights were delayed as a precautionary measure.
No Immediate Evacuation Details Available
As of now, officials have not released specific information regarding evacuations. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Volcano Background and Previous Eruption
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which rises to 1,584 meters (5,197 feet), forms part of a twin volcano system with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in the Flores Timur district. The volcano last erupted in November, causing nine fatalities and injuring several others.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Risk Zone
Indonesia, an archipelago of over 270 million people, is home to 120 active volcanoes and lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a major area of tectonic activity known for frequent earthquakes and eruptions.
