PVBMG: 2 Volcanoes In NTT With Alert Status

Head of the Center for Volcano Monitoring and Mitigation of the Land Movement of the Nusa Tenggara Region, Zakarias DG Raja, when giving material to Bimtek participants in Kupang. (ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) through the Volcano Monitoring and Mitigation Center for the Land Movement of the Nusa Tenggara Region stated that currently two volcanoes in East Nusa Tenggara are on alert status.

"Of the total 25 active mountains in NTT, there are two mountains whose status is alert or level II," said Head of the Center for Volcano Monitoring and Mitigation of the Land Movement for the Nusa Tenggara Region, Zakarias DG Raja, in Kupang, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, November 9.

This was conveyed in connection with the development of volcanic activity in East Nusa Tenggara, which has a total of 25 active volcanoes.

The two volcanoes that are on alert or level II are the Ile Lewotolok volcano in Lembata Regency and also the Ine Lika volcano in Ngada Regency.

For the Ile Lewotolok volcano, it was previously at alert status or level III. However, on December 28, 2022, the status of the mountain was lowered to Alert status or level II.

This is because based on visual monitoring of Mount Ile Lewotolok's activity, it shows a decrease in the eruption after an eruption as high as 1,500 meters on November 29, 2020.

Meanwhile, Ine Lika's volcano in Ngada Regency has experienced an increase in status, from normal or level I to alert or level II.

The change or increase in status occurred in early October, after the volcanic activity on the mountain increased.

Volcanic activity in the mountain from usually only one to two times a day, currently there are seven to eight times of volcanic activity every day.

In addition, the pungent smell of gas often appears in residential areas, so people are advised to always be aware of the dangers of the volcano.