Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted early Wednesday, hurling volcanic ash 10 kilometres into the sky and prompting authorities to escalate the volcano’s alert status to its highest level.
The eruption, which follows a deadly incident in November 2024, has led to evacuations and the closure of a nearby airport, raising concerns among local communities.
Double Eruptions and Escalating Activity
The volcano erupted twice within hours, first at 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday (1835 GMT) and again at 1:35 a.m. on Wednesday, with each event lasting approximately nine minutes and projecting ash nine to 10 kilometres into the atmosphere, according to Indonesia’s Geological Agency.
The agency’s head, Muhammad Wafid, noted a “significant rise in volcanic activity” since Monday, prompting the alert level to be raised to its maximum on Tuesday evening.
Wafid urged residents near the volcano to remain vigilant, warning of potential volcanic mudflows in the event of heavy rainfall. He advised clearing a six- to seven-kilometre radius around the volcano to ensure safety.
Evacuations and Community Impact
The eruptions triggered the evacuation of dozens of residents from villages closest to Mount Lewotobi, said Avelina Manggota Hallan, an official from the local disaster mitigation agency. The memory of the volcano’s catastrophic eruption in November 2024, which claimed 10 lives and damaged thousands of homes, has heightened fears, prompting most villagers to flee following the latest activity.
Mount Lewotobi’s recent eruptions in July and August also disrupted flights to and from Bali, a popular resort island nearby. The latest volcanic activity has led to the closure of Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, until Thursday, according to the airport operator’s social media announcement.
Indonesia’s Volcanic Landscape
Situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Indonesia is home to over 120 active volcanoes, a result of its position atop multiple tectonic plates. This geological setting makes the archipelago prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity, with Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki being one of its more active volcanoes.
The latest eruptions underscore the ongoing challenges faced by communities living in close proximity to these natural phenomena.
As authorities monitor the situation, the immediate focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and mitigating the risks posed by further volcanic activity or related hazards, such as mudflows during heavy rain. For Malaysians following regional news, the situation serves as a reminder of the shared geological vulnerabilities within Southeast Asia.
