Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in NTT Erupts, Spews Volcanic Ash 1.5 Kilometres High

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on Sunday (19/7) afternoon, spewing volcanic ash up to 1,500 metres above its summit. “An eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, East Nusa Tenggara, occurred on 19 July 2026 at 13:20 WITA with an observed ash column height of approximately 1,500 metres above the peak (around 3,084 metres above sea level),” reported Satria Nugroho Wicaksana, an officer at the Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Observation Post. According to Satria, the eruption was recorded on the seismogram lasting 6 minutes and 4 seconds with a maximum amplitude of 29.6 millimetres. The observed ash column was grey and thick, drifting towards the north, west, and northwest. Satria explained that Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located in Nurabelen Village, Wulanggitang District, stands 1,584 metres above sea level and remains at alert level III. Under alert level III, the observation post has issued recommendations and prohibitions for residents to refrain from any activities within a 5-kilometre radius of the eruption centre. “Communities around Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki should be vigilant for potential cold lava floods in rivers originating at the peak, especially in the areas of Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, and Boru,” the report stated. The observation post also reminded residents in areas affected by ashfall to wear masks or nose and mouth coverings to avoid respiratory tract infections.