Mount Lewotobi Men Eruption, Lontarkan Abu As High As 1.5 Kilometers

Visual Mount Lewotobi Men from the front of the evacuation post for the eruption disaster in Wulanggitang District, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Monday (8/1/2024). (ANTARA/Fransiska Mariana Nuka)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported a flare in the form of eruptions of volcanic ash as high as approximately 1,500 meters that came out of the crater of Mount Lewotobi Laki on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Officer of the Mount Lewotobi Observation Post Male Herman Yosef said the eruption occurred at 17.22 WITA with white, gray, and brown colors heading north.

"When this report was made, the eruption was still ongoing," Herman said in a report reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 8.

PVMBG urges the public not to carry out activities within a radius of 3 kilometers from the eruption center and sectoral 4 kilometers in the west-north and southwest of the male Mount Lewotobi eruption center.

PVMBG juga mengimbau masyarakat agar tenang dan mengikuti arahan pemerintah daerah, serta tidak mempercaya isu-isu yang tidak jelas sumbernya.

If there is an eruption and ash rain, people are advised to stay indoors. If you are outside the house, it is recommended to use the nose, mouth (mask) and eyes (glasses).

During the period 1 to 31 December 2023, PVMBG recorded a significant increase in the volcanic activity of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

New outbreaks in the northeast appear that make the crater smoke gusts widen, so that the threat level increases.

On January 1, 2024, Mount Lewotobi Male, who is 1,584 meters high above sea level, officially rose from level II or was alert to level III or alert.