PVMBG Urges Residents To Anticipate Rain Lahar From Mount Lewotobi

Head of the Emergency Response Team for the Eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male PVMBG, Iing Kusnadi (black shirt) with the team inspected the rain lava point in Dulipali Village, Ile Bura District, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (9/1/2024). (ANTARA/Fransiska Mariana Nuka)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) appealed to the public to anticipate the potential for rain lava if it rains at the top of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"We urge people living on the banks of rivers that originate at the top of Mount Lewotobi Men to be aware of lahars in the event of heavy rain," said Head of the Emergency Response Team of the PVMBG Men's Mount Lewotobi Eruption Iing Kusnadi in Wulangitang, East Flores, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 9.

Iing conveyed the recommendation according to the status of the mountain level which is at level III or standby.

Lahar is a volcanic material deposit carried by rainwater through rivers or valleys when it rains.

In the mapping carried out by the Center for Monitoring of Volcano and Disaster Mitigation of the Land Movement of Nusa Tenggara, there are three locations that have received rain lava in Ile Bura District.

Two locations in Nobo Village that have been observed to have been streamlined by rain

Meanwhile, one point is in Dulipali Village with the latest conditions, there is no more flow. The observed lava in Dulipali Village occurred on December 26, 2023.

He said this must be anticipated by not approaching the location which is the rain lava route.

The public is advised not to be near the river when it rains continuously for a long duration.

In addition to being aware of the potential for rain lava, PVMBG also prohibits the public or visitors from carrying out activities at a radius of three kilometers from the eruption center, then sectorally to the north-northwest as far as four kilometers and southwest as far as four kilometers.

The public is also reminded to close wells or water reservoirs because it is indicated that they have been contaminated with volcanic ash.

"Keep wearing masks and eye protection so you don't get sick," he said.

PVMBG recorded mountain activity with continuous tremors recorded today.

Visually, smoke from the main crater is gray, while from moderate white fractures.

"From the moderate white fracture, it is possible that there is lava there, if the main crater looks like material, there is ash," said Iing.