BNPB Make Sure There Are No Casualties For The Exposive Eruption Of Mount Lewotobi Men

Erupsi Gunung Lewotobi Laki-laki Di Kabupaten Flores Timur NTT/ANTARA/HO-PVMBG

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that there are no reports of casualties due to the explosive eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki accompanied by rain of volcanic material. such as ash and gravel, in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"We make sure that the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Male on Tuesday (17/6) did not cause any casualties," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, June 18.

Based on a report from the PGA team, the Geological Agency is known to have at least five explosive eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki on Tuesday (17/6) and the largest was observed to take place at 17.35 WITA, until it ejected a column of ash as high as 10,000 meters above the top of the active crater.

According to Abdul, volcanic material in the form of ash, sand, and gravel reportedly fell into residential areas outside the Disaster Prone Area (KRB) radius, such as Boru Village, Hewa Village, and Watobuku Village.

Apart from settlements, he continued, the main access road connecting East Flores Regency and Sikka Regency was also affected by the rain of gravel.

Police officers from the East Flores Police and the Sikka Police have opened and closed the main route from Maumere to Larantuka and vice versa, as a result of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in Wulanggitang Regency and East Flores Regency.

"Efforts to clean up have been made to ensure that these vital routes can be reused immediately," he said.

Although volcanic activity is still being monitored intensively, BNPB ensures that the evacuation and handling of residents has been carried out according to procedures.

Abdul said the temporary housing built by BNPB together with the regional government and related ministries since the first eruption in November 2024 in East Flores had also been functioned and inhabited by affected residents.

No less than 450 heads of families (KK) from villages within a radius of six kilometers from the crater of Mount Lewotobi Male have settled in temporary shelters. Basic facilities such as electricity and clean water are also available," he said.