Indonesian officials are on high alert as Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on Flores Island, erupts again, launching an ash cloud that soared 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the sky. As the volcanic activity resumes, residents are fleeing their homes to avoid potential hazards. Since the volcano's onset of eruptions on Monday morning, there have been no reports of fatalities. The government has increased the alert level to its highest since a previous series of eruptions occurred three weeks ago.
On Monday alone, flight operations saw significant disruptions, with at least 24 scheduled flights to and from Bali canceled due to the ash cloud's impact. Some flights were able to resume the following day. According to Muhammad Wafid, head of the geology agency, this eruption is notably larger than previous ones this year, raising concerns about aviation safety during such high volcanic activity. The eruption, marked by loud roars, prompted authorities to extend the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 kilometers from the volcano's vent and issue warnings about lahar floods, which could occur with heavy rainfall.
By Monday evening, the volcano erupted again, sending additional ash and lava up to 13 kilometers into the atmosphere. This was followed by a third eruption on Tuesday morning with reduced intensity. Footage from the region shows bright red lava erupting from the volcano's craters as over 4,000 residents evacuate the area, according to local disaster management officials.
Those who have chosen to remain are experiencing shortages of essential supplies including water, food, and protective masks. Local leaders, like Paulus Sony Sang Tukan from Pululera village located about 8 kilometers from the volcano, are calling for immediate aid to support affected communities, emphasizing concerns over water cleanliness due to the thick ash covering their surroundings. Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” regularly experiences volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. While previous eruptions of Lewotobi Laki-laki have not resulted in casualties, a significant eruption in November led to ten fatalities and widespread evacuations. Lewotobi Laki-laki, which translates to "man," is paired with the taller, yet calmer, twin volcano named Perempuan, which means "woman" in Indonesian.
