Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano located on the island of Flores in Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), spewing an ash tower over 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) into the sky, according to the country’s volcanology agency.
This powerful eruption has caused significant disruption beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcano, particularly affecting air travel to and from the popular resort island of Bali. By late Wednesday, data from Bali’s main airport indicated that over 37 flights had been cancelled as a direct result of the volcanic ash hazard. Several international airlines, including Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia, were among those cancelling services, alongside domestic AirAsia flights bound for Flores.
Authorities have responded to the eruption by raising the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki to the highest possible tier. Residents near the volcano have been strongly advised to avoid any activities within a 7-kilometer radius surrounding the crater due to the risks posed by volcanic activity and ash fall.
While no casualties have been reported from this specific eruption, officials are highlighting ongoing risks. Warnings have been issued regarding the potential for lahar floods – dangerous flows of mud containing volcanic material – if heavy rainfall occurs in the area. Residents have also been urged to wear face masks to protect themselves from inhaling the volcanic ash.
As a precautionary measure, at least one village has been evacuated, and ash rain has been observed in several surrounding areas outside the exclusion zone. Tremors are still being detected, suggesting continued volcanic activity.
Indonesia is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a geological region known for frequent tectonic plate collisions that lead to high levels of volcanic activity and earthquakes. This is not the first recent activity for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki; the volcano erupted multiple times in November, resulting in fatalities and forcing thousands to evacuate. Its last eruption prior to the current event was in May, which also prompted authorities to raise the alert level to the highest category.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is part of a twin-peaked volcanic structure, paired with a seemingly calmer peak named Perempuan (meaning “woman” in Indonesian).
