Mount Lewotobi in East Nusa Tenggara erupts, residents told to stay clear of the eruption centre

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores Timur Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on Wednesday morning, and residents were asked not to engage in activities within a four-kilometre radius of the eruption centre.

Head of the Geology Agency, Lana Saria, said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that the eruption occurred at 08:39 WITA with an observed ash column height of around 800 metres above the crater, or roughly 2,384 metres above sea level.

The Geology Agency confirmed the ash plume was grey with moderate intensity and drifting towards the north and north-east.

Instrumentally, the activity was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 11 mm and a duration of about 47 seconds.

Nevertheless, the Geology Agency stated that Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki remains at Status Level II (Waspada) which recommends that people around the mountain and visitors do not undertake activities within a 4-kilometre radius of the eruption centre.

Residents are urged to remain calm and follow local government directions and not to trust information from unverified sources. Local authorities are asked to actively communicate official developments to the public.

Additionally, residents are advised to watch for the potential of lava flows (lahars) in rivers originating from the summit if heavy rain occurs, especially in the Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru and Nawakote areas.

For communities affected by ashfall, the Geology Agency urges the use of masks or cloth to cover the nose and mouth to avoid respiratory disturbances from volcanic ash, while the Centre for Volcanology and Geohazards Mitigation (PVMBG) continues to coordinate with the East Nusa Tenggara BPBD and local stakeholders in monitoring the volcano’s activity.