Mount Ili Lewotolok Erupts 1,000 Meters High, Accompanied By A Strong Bang

JAKARTA - Ili Lewotolok Volcano Monitoring Post in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara reported that an eruption occurred at 15.02 West Indonesia Time (WIT), and the crater emitted white smoke with a column height of up to 1,000 meters.

"The ash column was observed to be white to gray with a thick intensity leaning towards the west", said Head of Ili Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post, Stanislaus Ara Kian, when contacted from Kupang, reported by Antara, Thursday, April 15.

Stanis explained that the volcanic eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 20 mm and a duration of approximately 35 seconds.

The eruption released by Mount Ili Lewotolok, he said, was accompanied by a very strong boom that shook the ground around the mountain a little.

With still activity on the mountain, he advised residents around the slopes of Ili Lewotolok as well as visitors, climbers, and tourists not to carry out activities in the area within a three-kilometer radius from the top of the volcano.

"The people of Jontona Village should always be aware of the potential danger of landslides of weathered material which can be accompanied by hot clouds from the southeastern part of the summit/crater of Mount Ili Lewotolok", he said.

He also said that considering the potential dangers of volcanic ash which can cause respiratory problems (ISPA) and other health problems, people around Mount Ili Lewotolok should prepare nose and mouth masks and other equipment to protect their eyes and skin.

Considering that volcanic ash has so far fallen in several sectors around the mountain, people who live around the rivers that head up at the top of Mount Ili Lewotolok should be aware of the threat of lava, especially during the rainy season.

The monitoring post had been on alert and monitoring to ensure that there were no bigger and higher ash bursts that could endanger the residents around the mountain.