Volcano erupts violently, Indonesia raises warning to highest level
According to a VNA reporter in Jakarta, the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province of Indonesia, has continuously erupted for two days (September 19-20).
The Geological Agency under the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has raised the alert level to level 4 - the highest level in the volcano's alert system.
The most powerful eruption occurred on the night of September 19 (local time), creating a column of ash up to 6 km high, according to the announcement of the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG), which said that on September 20, the 1,584 m high mountain continued to erupt many times, at times pushing ash up to 2.5 km high.
Muhammad Wafid, head of the Indonesian Geological Agency (under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources), advised residents and tourists to stay away from the area within a 6km radius of the crater, warning that the ash could affect flight routes. He also noted the risk of mudflows (lahars) if heavy rains occur, caused by volcanic material mixing 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 21. Meanwhile, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali is still operating normally.
Previously, in July, Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted with an ash column up to 18 km high, causing 24 flights in Bali to be canceled.
Lewotobi Laki-laki, is one of two "twin" volcanoes with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan, 1,703m high, this mountain is currently inactive.