The Status Of Mount Lewotobi Men In Flotim Rises So Be Alert

Mount Lewotobi Male was observed from the Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) in Pululera Village, Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). BETWEEN/Gecio Viana

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has raised the status of the volcanic activity of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency (Flotim), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) from Level III (Alert) to Level IV (Awas).

"Based on visual and instrumental analysis, the activities of Mount Lewotobi Men are classified as still high, therefore, the level of activity has been increased from Level III to Level IV," said Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Saria as reported by ANTARA, Monday, November 24.

He said the change in the level of Mount Lewotobi's volcanic activity for men began at 21.00 WITA.

He said in eight hours, 64 times the deep volcanic earthquake and 21 nonharmonic calibres were recorded.

The increase in these two types of earthquakes shows that the supply of new magma is quite large and moves quickly towards the surface. This condition can trigger explosive eruptions.

He explained that starting at 14.00 WITA there was an increase in the activity of deep volcanic earthquakes which indicated that the supply of magma had just moved fast enough to the surface so that it could potentially be explosive. The last eruption of the mountain on October 18, 2025, at 00.44 WITA.

In the past week, the number of gusts has fluctuated compared to the previous period.

"This fluctuation shows that there is gas pressure related to volcanic activity at shallow depths. However, the relatively stable number of earthquakes indicates that gas and magma supply is still ongoing," he said.

He said visually and based on seismic data, the activities of Mount Lewotobi Men began to show an upward trend in the last two days.

Deformation data from the tiltmeter shows a significant pattern of inflation over a short period of time, indicating magma movement that affects the surface of the volcano's body.

Data from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) still shows fluctuations in the vertical component over the past week, but in the last three days it has been observed that it has increased. This condition indicates that magma's movement from deep to shallow depths is still ongoing towards the surface.

The Geological Agency asked the public and tourists not to move within a 6 km radius of the eruption center and 7 km sectoral in the northwest of Easteast, and to remain calm and follow directions from local governments.

"The public is also asked not to trust information with unclear sources," he said.

In addition, people around disaster-prone areas are aware of the potential for lava flooding in the event of heavy rains, especially in watersheds that originate at the top of Mount Lewotobi Laki, such as Nawakote, Dulipali, Nobo, Hokeng Jaya, to Nu Embar.

Residents affected by ash rain are advised to use a mask or a nose and mouth covering to protect the respiratory tract.

"The volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male can also disrupt airport operations and flight routes if the distribution leads to airport areas and plane crossings," he said.