Residents Get Activities Near Lava Flow, Geological Agency Reminds To Stay Away From Mount Ile Lewotolok Hazard Zones

Mount Ile Lewotolok NTT can be seen from Lembata. (Nanda-VOI)

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reminded the public not to approach the danger zone of the lava flow of Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"Of course this is very dangerous for living things, both humans and animals, it is very dangerous, the temperature is very hot," said Middle Earth Investigator of the Sofyan Primulyana Geological Agency in Lewoleba, the capital of Lembata Regency, Monday, March 25, as reported by Antara.

He conveyed this in response to information related to the recorded community carrying out activities around the lava flow of Mount Ile Lewotolok some time ago.

According to him, the lava flow from Ile Lewotolok Volcano is still unstable and lava flows continue to occur.

It is feared that this condition will cause larger lava avalanches and could also potentially cause hot clouds.

"People or anyone who goes up and approaching the danger zone, especially approaching the lava flow, of course we urge you not to do that," he reminded.

Mount Ile Lewotolok is a volcano in Lembata which is now at level III or Alert since February 27, 2024.

Sofyan said that volcanic activity in general is still very high as evidenced by eruptions that continue to occur almost every hour, both weak and moderate intensities.

This certainly indicates that there is still a constant supply of magma, so it is important to increase disaster awareness and mitigation by not approaching the hazard radius zone.

He also invited the public to follow the recommendations issued by the Geological Agency not to enter the area within a two kilometer radius (km) from the eruption center, and three km specifically for sectoral to the south and southeast.

"For this reason, people in villages such as Lamawolo, Lamatokan, Jontona, and Todanara cannot enter the area," he said.