Mount Ili Lewotolok Erupts 270 Times a Day, Two Airports Remain Closed
Volcanic activity at Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, continues to escalate. A total of 270 eruptions, accompanied by flying incandescent material and loud thuds, were recorded on Tuesday (15/9).
The spread of volcanic ash, carried by the wind, is not only affecting residents near the crater but has also forced two airports in the region to remain closed since early September, severing air access for thousands of people.
Nanda Pramtriwans Joshua Game, an officer at the Ili Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post (PGA), stated that eruptions occurred continuously from 00:00 to 24:00 WITA, with smoke columns reaching heights of 100-200 metres, ranging in colour from white to grey.
Incandescent glows were clearly visible in the night sky amidst weather conditions ranging from clear to cloudy, with temperatures between 24-32 degrees Celsius and winds blowing light to moderate towards the Southwest and West.
“We observed 2t0 eruptions accompanied by flying incandescent material and thuds with weak to moderate intensity. During eruptions, the mountain is clearly visible even amidst mist, with low-pressure white smoke,” Nanda said in a written statement.
Volcanic seismicity recorded 127 inflation events, two collapses, three non-harmonic tremors, five hybrid and shallow volcanic earthquakes, and one distant tectonic earthquake. The volcano’s status remains at Level II (Alert).
The ash dispersal, moving towards the West and Southwest, has directly impacted airspace. The Head of Wunopito Lembata Airport, Sudarmana, confirmed that flight activities have been suspended since 1 September and there are currently no signs of reopening.
“Due to the impact of the Ili Lewotolok eruption, airport services have been closed since 1 September. As of now, there have been no flights. We advise passengers to continuously update themselves with official information from airlines and the airport authorities,” explained Sudarmana.
The impact extends to East Flores Regency. The Head of the Class III UPBU Gewayantana Larantuka Office, Puguh Lukito, stated that volcanic ash is also covering the airspace in his area. The decision to reopen will be evaluated daily.
“Adjusting to the Lewotolok ASHTAM data, if ash still covers the Larantuka airspace tomorrow morning, the status will remain closed. Prospective passengers are urged to maintain communication with airlines regarding schedules,” Puguh emphasised.
The closure of Gewayantana Airport has affected 62 passengers on the Larantuka-Kupang route and vice versa.
Meanwhile, the PVMBG (Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation) has reminded the public and visitors to remain vigilant. Activities are prohibited within a 2-kilometre radius of the crater and 3 kilometres in the Southern and Southeastern sectors. Residents are advised to watch for potential lava flows, landslides, and pyroclastic flows in the Southern, Southeastern, Western, and Northeastern sectors; to use masks and eye/skin protection; and to tightly cover clean water reservoirs to avoid ash contamination.
Monitoring is ongoing. The reopening of both airports depends entirely on the reduction of volcanic activity and the clearing of volcanic ash from the airspace.