ESDM: Ili Lewotolok Eruption Has Nothing To Do With Another Volcano

Mount Ili Lewotolok Volcano erupted volcanic material in Lembata Regency, NTT, Sunday, December 29. (Aken Udjan / Antara)

JAKARTA - The head of ESDM's Eastern Region Volcano Mitigation Sub Division Devy Kamil Syahbana said that the eruption of Mount Ili Lewotolok in Lembata Regency from November 27 to Friday, December 4 morning had nothing to do with the eruption of other volcanoes in Indonesia.

"The eruption of the Ili Lewotolok volcano that occurred recently in Lembata has nothing to do with the increase in Merapi in several other mountains in Indonesia. Each mountain has its own magma chamber," he said as quoted by Antara, Friday, December 4.

This was conveyed by him regarding the recent volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, starting from Ili Lewotolok and Mount Semeru, even before that several other volcanoes.

Devy said that his party had been conducting evaluations so far. From 27 November to 29 November it had experienced an increase in activity and until now the eruptive activity is still happening.

"Now we are still evaluating, so that if there is a more dangerous increase, we will increase the status. For now the status is still on standby," he said.

However, he said, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVBMG) could not confirm when an even bigger eruption would occur.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Lembata, Thomas Ola Langoday, when inspecting the Mount Ili Lewotolok observation post, said that the PVBMG had issued a disaster-prone area (KRB) distribution on Mount Ili Lewotolok.

Therefore, a number of residents whose villages are included in the KRB area must leave the village because it is dangerous if there is another burst, it will endanger their lives.

"It would be better if the situation is like this, the people should first evacuate to the comfort zone in Lewoleba, while waiting for further information from friends at the guard post," he said.

The second person in Lembata Regency Government will also continue to coordinate with the guard post to ensure that the red zone area can be entered. This was done, he continued, for mutual security.