PVMBG Reminds Residents To Anticipate Male Mount Lewotobi Lava Falls
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) through the Lewotobi Laki Volcano Observation Post, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reminded the public to anticipate avalanches or avalanches from lava flows which have now reached 4.2 kilometers (km) from the eruption center."The point is not to enter the hazard radius because the danger radius of the northeast sector is five kilometers," said Male Lewotobi Volcano Observer Bobyson Lamanepa from Wulanggitang District, East Flores, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, February 20.Based on today's measurements and monitoring using unmanned aircraft (drone), it was recorded that visual lava flow had reached 4.2 km, an increase of 100 meters from the last measurement on February 3, which was 4.1 km.Bobyson explained that the increase in the lava flow distance was approximately 100 meters from the last measurement due to the fact that the lava tongue was still falling.The fall was caused by a contour of lava which was still unstable so that there was a gravitational force that caused the lava to fall filling the valleys and rivers.The distance from the tip of the lava tongue to the beach is now approximately 2.5 km to 3 km."So we still have to be aware of the potential danger of this lava flow, namely avalanches or landslides that are still happening," said Bobyson.The Lewotobi Male Volcano is the only volcano in NTT which is now on Alert (Level III) status.PVMBG still recommends that people, visitors, and tourists do not carry out any activities within a 3 km radius of the eruption center, as well as sectoral 4 km north-east and 5 km northeast sector.
In the current rainy season, PVMBG also urges the public to anticipate the potential for rain lava flooding in rivers that originate at the top of the mountain, especially if there is high intensity rain."The public is still recommended to wear masks or covers of the nose, mouth, and eyes to avoid the danger of volcanic ash when the mountain experiences eruptions," he said.