Mount Lewotobi Erupts, 3 Villages In East Flores Asked To Beware Of Volcanic Dust

Mount Lewotobi Men-Laki In NTT (ANTARA)

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM) appealed to residents of four villages to be aware of the spread of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"For the past two days, it has been dominant to the northwest, so we are aware of the villages on that side," said Observation Post Observer of the Lewotobi Volcano, Male Emanuel Rofinus Bere, quoted by ANTRA, Monday, July 29.

Mount Lewotobi Men experienced four eruptions from 00.00 WITA to 11.30 WITA.

Of these, there were two incidents with an eruption height of up to 1,000 meters from the top of the mountain peak and the ash propagation leaning towards the northwest.

Emanuel said the four villages located on the southwest side were Wolorona Hamlet, Hokeng Jaya Village, Pululura Village, Klatanlou Village, and Dulipali Village.

For this reason, villagers must also be aware of the dangers of spreading volcanic ash while still wearing masks.

"Please use a mask to avoid the dangers of volcanic ash for health," he said.

The Geological Agency still maintains the level of volcanic activity at level III or Alert.

At that level of activity, the Geological Agency recommends that people do not carry out any activities within a 3 km radius of the eruption center of Mount Lewotobi Laki and Mount Lewotobi Perempuan.

Similar recommendations also apply to 4 km in the North-North-North sector and 5 km in the Northeast sector from the epicenter of the Mount Lewotobi Male eruption.

"We continue to provide public information regarding this volcanic activity," said Emanuel.

Regarding the spread of volcanic ash during the eruption, personnel from the East Flores Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) also made efforts to handle it.

Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of BPBD East Flores Regency Avelina Hallan said BPBD prepared water tanks and personnel sprayed onto dusty roads and villages halls.

BPBD East Flores Regency also distributed 6,000 boxes of mineral water to journalists affected by the eruption. "Distribution has been carried out since last Friday," said Avelina.