PVMBG Reminds People To Be Alert To Lewotobi East Flores Volcano Activities

Visually from the main crater of Mount Lewotobi Male in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Wednesday (10/1/2024) night. BETWEEN/Fransiska Mariana Nuka

The EAST FLORES - Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reminded the public to be aware of the activities of the Lewotobi Laki Volcano in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) after the level increase from Alert to Alert.

"Since the level of activity was raised on January 9, 2024 at 23.00 WITA, it has been seen that the eruption activity is getting higher, the roar and bang is also very high, then the eruption is starting to appear large," said Head of the Emergency Response Team for the PVMBG Men's Mount Lewotobi Eruption, Iing Kusnadi in Wulangitang, East Flores reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 10.

He explained that there was intense lava activity in the northern-northwest fracture.

In addition, rock slides can be seen from the peak of the eruption towards the northeast-northeast from Nobo and Nukolen Villages for two kilometers.

"It looks like there are no settlements, but garden houses," he said.

As recommended by PVMBG, according to Iing there is a northern-northwest fracture with the possibility of a larvae slide in that direction.

Therefore, the anticipation taken is to stay away from the area within the five-kilometer sectoral radius.

One of the efforts is to evacuate the community from Dulipali Village which has the potential to become a lava flow area to a safer place to avoid threats or risks from the continuous eruption.

"We hope that the public will not approach the five-kilometer sector," he said.

Since the increase in the status of mountain activity to level IV or Alert, Mount Lewotobi Males have continued to emit booms and roars.

Iing said the roar indicated that the mountain erupted due to resonances from the hole and magma push up.

He appealed to the public to be aware of the potential for rain lava flooding in the event of rain at the top of the mountain.

The rain that occurred, said Iing, brought existing materials such as pyroclastic material, namely sand, dust, and volcanic ash.

"If there is a lot of water volume and it brings material from the eruption, it will result in lava," he explained.