BMKG Remembers The Threat Of Mount Lewotobi Rain Floods In Men's Laki

Mount Lewotobi Male-Laki was observed from the Lewotobi Laki Volcano Observation Post in Pululera Village, Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). (ANTARA/Gecio Viana)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reminded the potential for rain lava flooding from Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) in line with the rainy season and extreme weather due to La Nina or atmospheric dynamics.

Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati said that due to this condition, local governments and communities around slopes and river flow channels are advised to increase preparedness by avoiding riverbanks flowing from the slopes of the mountain that have or are currently in eruption.

"Learning from Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, we ask all parties and the public to be aware of rain lava floods that can occur at any time because it is very dangerous," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, November 18.

Enlivened by rain lava floods in the form of large and fast floods that occur when rainwater mixes with volcanic material from volcanic eruptions.

The volcanic material can be in the form of sand, ash, and rocks that are also mixed with wood or trees. Rainy lava floods, such as what happened in West Sumatra, could threaten lives, close settlements, and transport large stones in the river.

"During the eruption, not all materials slide down, but are piled up above, if heavy rains occur, then the potential for rain lava flooding will increase," he said.

According to him, the threat is increasing because in the rainy season Indonesia is also hit by the La Nina phenomenon.

This phenomenon, he said, will take place from the end of 2024 to at least March or April 2025. La Nina is a global climate phenomenon caused by an anomaly of sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean which is cooler than usual. For Indonesia, this phenomenon causes an increase in rainfall in almost most areas ranging from 20-40 percent.