Rainy Season, Residents Asked To Beware Of The Threat Of Mount Ile Lewotolok Lahar

JAKARTA - The Mount Ile Lewotolok Monitoring Post in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, appealed to people living around the valley or river flow that originates at the top of the mountain to be aware of the threat of lahar hazards.

"The threat of lahar danger could occur, especially during the rainy season, therefore we urge the public to be vigilant," said Mount Ile Lewotolok Monitoring Post Officer Jefri Pugel when contacted, confiscated by Antara.

He said this was related to the anticipation of the threat of lava from the top of the mountain, considering that currently the rainfall at the top of the mountain is very high.

In addition, they also reminded the people around Mount Ile Lewotolok as well as visitors, climbers, or tourists, as well as the people of Amakaka Village not to enter and not to carry out activities in the western sectoral area as far as 2.5 km from the center of mountain activity.

The public is also advised to be aware of the potential threat of avalanches or lava avalanches and hot clouds from the south and southeast of the peak or crater of Mount Ile Lewotolok.

Not only that, the people in Jontona Village and Todonara Village are also advised not to enter and not to carry out activities in the southern and southeastern sector as far as 2.5 km from the activity center of Mount Ile Lewotolok and be aware of the potential threat of avalanche hazards as well as lava avalanches and hot clouds from the south and southeast of the peak or crater of the mountain.

Based on the results of thorough analysis and evaluation, he said, the activity of Mount Ile Lewotolok until December 31, 2024 is still quite high, and considering the potential hazard, the level of activity is still at Level II (Alert).

The mountain, which once erupted in 2020 with a column height of ash reaching 4,000 meters above the top of the mountain, is currently still in eruption.

At the end of December, based on reports from the eruption monitoring post as high as 400 meters, it had occurred. When compared to the observation period 1 December 15, 2024, there was an increase.