Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupts on Tuesday evening, sending an ash plume over 11 kilometres high into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the volcanic alert to its highest level near Flores Island. Image: EPA.
(The Post News)– One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, erupted on Tuesday evening, sending an ash cloud more than 11 kilometres into the sky. Authorities raised the country’s volcano alert to its highest level following the eruption near the tourist island of Flores.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted on Tuesday evening, releasing a towering ash plume over 11 kilometres into the sky. Authorities raised the volcanic alert to its highest level and established a 7 km exclusion zone around the 1,584 m twin-peaked volcano near the island of Flores.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. However, the volcano has shown increased activity in recent months. In November, a series of eruptions resulted in nine deaths and the evacuation of thousands, along with flight cancellations due to ash clouds.
An exclusion zone of 7 km was set around the crater of the 1,584-metre (one mile) tall twin-peaked volcano. Authorities reported no immediate damage or casualties.
In November, a series of eruptions from the volcano left nine people dead and led to the evacuation of thousands. The ash cloud at the time also disrupted flights.
The head of the geology agency, Muhammad Wafid, advised against any activity within a 7 km radius of the volcano, cautioning that heavy rainfall could trigger lahar floods, fast-moving flows of volcanic debris and mud. Residents were also encouraged to wear face masks as a precaution against inhaling volcanic ash.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported that at least one village had been evacuated, while ash fall was observed in several other villages located beyond the exclusion zone.
A spokesperson urged people living near the volcano “to evacuate to safe locations”, noting that tremors continued to be recorded, a sign that volcanic activity was still underway.
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