4,628 Residents Evacuated After The Eruption Of Mount Ili Lewotolok

Ili Lewotolok Volcano in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara (Photo: Doc BNPB)

JAKARTA - Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Raditya Jati, said that 4,628 residents were evacuated after the eruption occurred at Ili Lewotolok Volcano in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara.

The distribution of residents who were evacuated was in the largest refugee post in the old Regent's Office, totaling 3,672 people, BKD PSDM 338, Tapolangu 287, Ankara Hall 148, Lewoleba Tengah 140, Harnus field 28 and Baopana Village 15.

"When the eruption occurred, the local BPBD immediately evacuated residents. In addition, BPBD is evacuating residents from several villages," Raditya said in his statement, Monday, November 30.

Raditya said, the NTT Provincial BPBD has assisted the command post to carry out emergency response efforts. After the evacuation, emergency handling is carried out in the form of handling displaced residents, health services and helping public kitchens and the provision of clean water.

Based on a rapid assessment in the field, the urgent need for emergency handling is in the form of evacuation tents, water supply and sanitation, baby and toddler needs, masks, blankets, sleeping mats and tarpaulins as well as personnel support for children assistance.

"The local government is trying to implement health protocols in handling evacuation. To support health protocols, BPBD needs personal protective equipment such as masks," he said.

For information, Ili Lewotolok volcano erupted on Sunday, November 29, at 9:45 local time. The eruption column was 4,000 meters high above the summit.

Based on the PVMBG monitoring, it is observed that the thick gray ash column is leaning east and west. Currently, the potential dangers of Mount Ili Lewotolok are in the form of throwing rocks or incandescent lava in all directions, heavy ash rain whose distribution is influenced by wind direction and speed.

In addition, other hazards are in the form of weathered material avalanches in the summit crater to the southeast as well as lava in rivers that originate from the top of the mountain, as well as hot clouds especially towards the crater opening, which is on the southeast side.