Volcano erupts violently, Indonesia raises alert to highest level.
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Jakarta, the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province of Indonesia, erupted continuously for two days (September 19-20).
The Geological Survey of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has raised the alert level to level 4 – the highest level in the volcanic activity warning system.
According to a statement from the Volcano and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG), the strongest eruption occurred on the night of September 19 (local time), creating a plume of ash up to approximately 6 km high. On September 20, the 1,584-meter-high mountain continued to erupt multiple times, with some eruptions sending ash up to 2.5 km.
Muhammad Wafid, head of the Indonesian Geological Survey (under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources), advised residents and tourists to stay away from the area within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater, warning that ash could affect airspace. He also noted the risk of mudslides (lahar) if heavy rains occur, as volcanic material mixes with rainwater.
Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere (Flores) has temporarily suspended domestic flights to ensure safety. Airport officials said they will monitor the situation and may decide to reopen on September 21st. Meanwhile, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali continues to operate normally.
Earlier, in July, Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, spewing ash plumes up to 18 km high, causing 24 flights in Bali to be canceled.
Lewotobi Laki-laki, one of the two "twin" volcanoes along with Lewotobi Perempuan, is 1,703m high and is currently inactive.
