BMKG Calls Mount Lewotobi's Volcanic Dust Male To Lombok Island

Archives - Smoke columns mixed with eruptive ash coming out of the crater of Mount Lewotobi Male can be seen from Pululura Village in Wulanggitang, East Flores Regency/DOK ANTARA

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) revealed that volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara has spread to Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara.

"The volcanic ash from the volcanic eruption moves west to southwest," said Head of the BMKG Climatology Station Data and Analysis Team West Nusa Tenggara Bastian Andriano in Mataram, Antara, Wednesday, November 13.

Since November 3, 2024, Mount Lewotobi Male has experienced several eruptions to this day.

Data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) states that the eruption that occurred on November 12, 2024, even reached 9,000 meters from the top of the twin volcano.

Bastian said the distribution of volcanic ash from the eruption Tuesday (12/11) was observed at an altitude of 30,000 feet or about 9,144 meters above sea level.

The distribution of volcanic ash moves west at a speed of 18 knots with increasing intensity.

"The results of observations of Darwin's VAAC at 21.30 WITA, Tuesday (12/11), show that the distribution of volcanic ash has reached the Lombok Island area at that height," said Bastian.

He further explained that the upper layer wind in Indonesia tends to blow towards the west and it is predicted that the direction of the volcanic ash will continue to follow the wind to the west from the location of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

On November 13, 2024, PT Angkasa Pura I Lombok Airport in West Nusa Tenggara stated that all domestic and international flight routes were affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki.

A total of 30 flight schedules, both departures and arrivals, had to be canceled and 10 flights were delayed for the safety of the passengers.

Mount Lewotobi Male is an active volcano with a height of 1,584 meters above sea level which still holds Level IV or Alert status.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that 2,735 families or 12,200 people were displaced and affected by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki.