JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that ash, sand, and gravel rain still occurred in a number of areas of East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, after the explosive eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki.
"The report from the rapid reaction team in the field shows that the situation around the mountain is very limited to being reached because it is dark and accompanied by rain of gravel and volcanic ash which complicates further tracing," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 18.
The eruption that occurred at 17.35 WITA brought up a column of ash up to 10,000 meters above the peak, or about 11,584 meters above sea level. The column of gray ash is thick, observed to spread to almost all corners of the wind's eye.
Although the intensity of the eruption is high, until this report was revealed there was no official information regarding the victims or damage from the surrounding village government.
"The East Flores BPBD has not received reports of affected residents from village heads," said Abdul.
Sand rain was observed in a number of residential areas that were actually outside the radius of disaster-prone areas (KRB), such as Boru Village, Hewa Village, and Watobuku Village.
Meanwhile, residents of Nukolen Village, Ile Bura District, have reportedly fled to a safe point in Konga to avoid exposure to eruptive materials.
The Lewotobi Male Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA) which is located in a location closer to the eruption center in Pululera Village is also affected by the rain of gravel.
Postal officers are reported to have evacuated to the Pululura Church about 1.2 kilometers from the post site.
Several other residents have also moved to Nileknoheng Village, which is located about 5 kilometers from the post or 12 kilometers from the crater of the mountain.
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BNPB together with the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources ensure that volcanic activity is still being monitored intensively. PGA seismic monitoring tools in Pululura show earthquakes reflecting the dynamics of magma below the surface.
"There are still tremors detected. The Geological Agency's observations also show one gust earthquake, non-harmonic tremors, two deep volcanic earthquakes, and four distant tectonic earthquakes," explained Abdul Muhari.
Based on a report from the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, eruption activity still occurs at least until 19.37 WITA. Although the ash column is no longer observed, earthquake activity on the seismogram records a maximum amplitude of 47.3 mm with the duration of the earthquake increasing to around 8 minutes 22 seconds.
BNPB urges the public to remain calm, follow instructions from local governments, and use masks or mouth and nose protections when doing activities outside the room, especially in affected areas.
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