Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara Erupted on Friday Night

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, situated in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted again on Friday evening at 18:22 WITA. The summit appeared red and glowing from a distance. Herman Yoseph S Mboro, an officer at the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Observation Post, explained that the volcano, currently at Alert Level III, expelled a column of volcanic ash reaching approximately 1,500 metres above its peak, equivalent to 3,084 metres above sea level. The ash column, observed to be dark grey and dense, drifted west and north-westwards. Seismic data indicated the eruption was detected with a maximum amplitude of 40.7 millimetres and lasted about 2 minutes and 13 seconds, accompanied by a significantly loud rumbling sound. Communities around the mountain, visitors, and tourists have been issued a serious warning not to conduct any activities within a 5-kilometre radius of the eruption point. ‘We urge residents to remain calm and follow the directives of the East Flores regional government, and not to readily trust unofficial information,’ Herman stated in a written release. Besides the danger of volcanic ash, residents were also reminded to be alert to the possibility of cold lava floods, particularly during heavy rainfall. This risk could impact river flows originating from the mountain area, including the regions of Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote. For those exposed to ashfall, it is advised to immediately use a mask or mouth and nose covering to protect the respiratory system from hazardous volcanic particles. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki had also erupted three times on Friday afternoon, with volcanic ash bursts ranging between 1,000 and 2,500 metres above the summit. Herman noted the three eruptions occurred at 11:02 WITA, 11:15 WITA, and 14:39 WITA. The eruption of the volcano, located in Nurabelen Village, Ilebura District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, occurred at 11:02 WITA with an ash burst reaching 1,300 metres above the summit. Thirteen minutes later, another eruption occurred precisely at 11:15 WITA, with an ash column height of 2,500 metres above the summit. The observation post reported a third eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki at 14:39 WITA, with an ash burst reaching 1,000 metres above the summit, or 2,584 metres above sea level.