East Flores Regency Government Extends Lewotobi Eruption Emergency Response Period

Residents affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male conducted an inspection at the health post at SDK Kemiri, Wulanggitang District, East Flores, NTT, Friday (12/1/2024). (ANTARA/Fransiska Mariana Nuka)

FLORES - East Flores Regency Government (Pemkab), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has extended the emergency response period for the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in Wulangitang District until January 24, 2024.

"On the evening of January 9, there was an increase in the eruption, so on the recommendation of the volcanic observation post, the regent issued an emergency response period from January 10 to 24," said East Flores Regional Secretary (Sekda) Petrus Pedo Maran in Wulanggitang, East Flores, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 12.

Since the increase in the status of MountLewotobi Male from Alert (Level II) to Alert (Level III) on January 1, 2024, the local government has set a disaster emergency response status until January 10, 2024.

However, the status of mountain activity rose again on January 9, 2024 at 23.00 WITA to Alert or Level IV, so that the government extended the emergency response period for the eruption.

During this disaster emergency response period, the village government has designated seven villages in two sub-districts as areas affected by the eruption.

Three villages in Ile Bura District are Dulipali, Nobo, and Nukolen Villages.

Meanwhile, four villages in Wulangitang District are Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Nawokote, and Boru villages.

He explained that the status of the disaster emergency response period was determined by the local government, but disaster management was carried out by all elements from the center, regions, and non-governmental institutions.

Therefore, local governments need support so that all affected residents can stay temporarily in the same location.

Current urgent needs, according to him, are large-scale shelter tents along with sleeping mats and public kitchen facilities.

"And the most important thing is the need for school children, it needs to be given more attention, especially regarding nutrition," he said.

As recommended from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the public is prohibited from carrying out any activity within a four-kilometer radius from the peak of the eruption or sectoral five kilometers to the northwest-north after the mountain's status is raised.

Petrus said monitoring was carried out within a two-kilometer radius from the center and villagers had been evacuated to a safer place.

"What we saw was that in the afternoon they returned to take care of the garden, but in the afternoon they returned to the post," he said.