1,172 Residents Of 4 Villages In Kupang Evacuated Due To The Eruption Of Mount Lewotobi

Visual Mount Lewotobi Male in East Flores, NTT, Tuesday (2/1/2024). (ANTARA)

Wulanggitang, Kupang, NTT sub-district head, Fredy Moat Aeng, said as many as 1,172 residents from four villages were affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores and evacuated to several existing posts. "The number includes pregnant, elderly, and toddlers, from four villages that were evacuated," said Fredy from Wulanggitang, East Flores, quoted by ANTARA Tuesday, January 2. Lewotobi Aki's fire stall in East Flores erupted again on January 1, 2024 following the rise of status from Level II or Alert to Level III or Alert. The origin of the eruption, he said, residents of four villages two to three kilometers from the mountain were affected by volcanic ash and had to be evacuated. The four villages are Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Nawokote, and Waiula. Residents also fled to several posts prepared by the local government (Pemda) such as in the Camat Office, SDK Kemiri, SDN 1 Wulanggitang, CU Remaja Hokeng, Polsek, and Koramil. Others took refuge in the houses of neighboring villagers who were not or less affected. He added that the situation in the area was still bombarded with volcanic ash since Monday (1/1) yesterday. The sub-districts are still continuing to collect data both on the affected residents and the posko or houses occupied by residents. For this incident, the East Flores Regency Government (Pemkab) has distributed assistance to residents affected by the eruption.

The assistance distributed includes rice, sugar, cooking oil, water, tarpaulins, masks, blankets, and tents from both the East Flores BPBD and the East Flores Social Service. Assistance has been distributed directly by the East Flores Regent