Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Erupts, Residents Urged To Keep Their Distance

JAKARTA, June 17 (Bernama) -- Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Tuesday, sending a towering column of ash up to 10-kilometre high into the sky and prompting authorities to urge residents to remain up to eight kilometres away.

According to Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the eruption at 5.35 pm local time released thick grey ash drifting in multiple directions and was accompanied by pyroclastic flows.

“The public and visitors are advised to avoid all activities within a seven-kilometre radius of the crater, and within a sector extending up to eight kilometres to the northeast and southwest,” the PVMBG stated.

The centre also warned of volcanic mudflows during heavy rain, with rivers in Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote potentially affected.

Residents impacted by ashfall have been advised to wear masks to reduce the risk of respiratory problems, as the volcano had already been on the highest alert level – Level IV – prior to the eruption.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is home to over 100 active volcanoes and frequently experiences volcanic activity.

-- BERNAMA