In brief
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Tuesday, leading to a high alert status and a 7km exclusion zone as ash clouds spread over Flores. Residents are advised to evacuate, with past eruptions causing fatalities.
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has erupted dramatically, producing a massive ash cloud that reached altitudes of over 11 kilometers. The eruption occurred on Tuesday at 17:35 local time, prompting officials to declare the country's highest alert. This active volcano, located on the tourist island of Flores, has a height of 1,584 meters (approximately one mile).In response to the eruption, a 7-kilometer exclusion zone has been established around the volcano's crater. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. However, the region remains on high alert; the geology agency's head, Muhammad Wafid, cautioned against any activities in the vicinity and warned of potential volcanic mudflows known as lahars, particularly if heavy rains occur.Following previous eruptions in November that resulted in nine fatalities and mass evacuations, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed that at least one village had been evacuated as ash fall was reported in several nearby areas. Residents living around the volcano have been urged to wear masks to shield themselves from the ash. Continued seismic activity was noted, signaling that the volcanic threat is not yet over, leading officials to persist in their evacuation recommendations. The Lewotobi Laki-Laki, whose name means "man" in Indonesian, pairs with the taller, more dormant Perempuan, which translates to "woman."
