Mount Ili Lewotolok Erupts Twice, Ash Column Reaches 700 Metres
Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), erupted again on Tuesday (1/9) morning. Two eruptions were recorded in less than three hours, ejecting ash columns hundreds of metres high towards the west.
The officer at the Mount Ili Lewotolok Monitoring Post, Yeremias Kristianto, provided details of the event through an official statement on Tuesday morning.
“The first eruption occurred at 07:50 WITA, with an ash column height of approximately 500 metres above the peak, or equivalent to 1,923 metres above sea level. The ash column was grey, thick in intensity, and inclined towards the west. This event was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm and a duration of 56 seconds,” Yeremias explained in a statement.
Shortly thereafter, at 10:31 WITA, the volcano erupted again with greater force.
“The second eruption at 10:31 WITA saw the ash column height reach approximately 700 metres above the peak, or 2,123 metres above sea level. The colour was thick grey, also moving towards the west. The amplitude remained at 40 mm, but the duration was longer, lasting 103 seconds,” he added.
In response to the increased volcanic activity, observers and the local government have issued a series of strict advisories for the safety of both the community and tourists.
The Lembata Regency Government has advised local residents, visitors, hikers, and tourists that entering or conducting activities within a 2km radius of the volcano’s centre, and 3km in the southern and south-eastern sectors, is prohibited.
The public is also urged to remain vigilant regarding the potential dangers of lava flows, volcanic material landslides, or pyroclastic flows that could threaten the southern, south-eastern, western, and north-eastern sectors of the mountain.
Furthermore, residents are advised to use protective masks for the mouth and nose, as well as eye and skin protection, to prevent respiratory infections (ISPA) or other health issues caused by volcanic ash. Clean water storage containers must also be tightly covered to prevent contamination by ash.
All parties are requested to maintain constant coordination with the Mount Ili Lewotolok Observation Post in Laranwutun Village, Ile Ape District, to monitor the latest developments in volcanic activity.