Mount Lewotobi Erupts Friday Night, Throws A Pijar Fire

JAKARTA - Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted again on Friday night with incandescent flames and volcanic ash columns as high as 10 kilometers from the top of the active crater.

Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Muhammad Wafid explained that the eruption occurred at 20.48 WITA and was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 47.3 mm and a duration of about 3 minutes 40 seconds.

The ash column was observed to be thick gray with thick intensity and leaning towards the west and northwest. The strong roar was clearly heard from the Lewotobi Laki Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in Pululura Village, Wulanggitang District.

"The eruption is said to be still ongoing when the report is issued," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

The Geological Agency appealed to residents not to carry out activities within a radius of 6 kilometers from the epicenter and the southwest to northeastern sector as far as 7 kilometers.

The Geological Agency ensures the status of the mountain is at Level IV (Awas) and warns of the potential for lava flooding in the event of high intensity rain in the area around the slopes of the mountain.

A number of areas that need to be watched out for potential lava floods include Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nu Sebelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote.

Residents affected by ash rain are asked to wear a mask or a nose and mouth covering to avoid respiratory tract problems.

Local governments are also asked to continue to coordinate with PGA and PVMBG posts to anticipate the continued impact of these volcanic activity.