Post-eruption, PVMBG Warns Of Potential Lewotobi Lava Floods

After experiencing another eruption on Friday night and Saturday morning, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVBMG) appealed to residents to be aware of the potential for rain lava flooding in rivers rising at the top of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

"If there is rain with high intensity, we urge the public to be aware of the potential for rain lava flooding," said Mount Lewotobi Male observer officer Emanuel Rofinus Bere in his report from Wulanggitang District, East Fores Regency, Saturday morning, as reported by ANTARA.

A number of villages that should be aware of lava floods include the Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nu Sebelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru and Nawakote areas.

Previously, an eruption as high as 10 thousand meters occurred at the top of the mountain on Friday (1/8) at 20:45 WITA local time, another eruption occurred on Saturday morning 1,26 WITA local time with a height of 18 thousand meters at the top of the mountain.

In his observation, the eruption was accompanied by a rumbling sound with a very strong bang and was heard as far as the Lewotobi Laki volcano observation post.

In an eruption as high as 10 thousand meters, the ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the West and Northwest. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 47.3 mm and this temporary duration of approximately 3 minutes 40 seconds.

Meanwhile, the eruption that occurred with an altitude of 18 thousand meters of ash column was observed to be gray to black with thick intensity leaning towards the Southwest, West, and Northwest.

This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 47.3 mm and this temporary duration is approximately 14 minutes 5 seconds.

In addition to urging residents to anticipate lava floods, PVMBG also appealed to people around Mount Lewotobi Male and visitors/tourists not to carry out any activities within six kilometers and the Southwest-Northeast Sector of seven kilometers from the center of the mountain eruption.

"People should be calm and follow the direction of the local government and do not believe in issues whose sources are unclear," he said.

Residents are also advised to always wear a nose and mouth covering mask to avoid the dangers of volcanic ash in the respiratory system.

Until now, the status of Mount Lewotobi Male is still at Level IV status or alert.