Mount Lewotobi Male 5 Eruptions Since Friday Morning

Motorists see volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores. ANTARA FOTO/Mega Tokan.

Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) reported that the mountain, on Friday, had five eruptions with the height of the eruption column reaching 300-1,000 meters above the peak.

"In the observation period from 06.00-12.00 WITA, five eruptions were observed with an eruption column height ranging from 300 to 1,000 meters above the peak and gray in color," said the Lewotobi Mountain Observation Officer, Bramantya Aji Putra Mahendra, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 12.

He explained that the volcano with Level III status (Alert) was clearly visible until it was covered by a thin fog. White crater smoke with a thin intensity was observed at a height of 50-100 meters above the peak.

In addition to the eruptive activity, officers also recorded two times of earthquakes with an amplitude of 2.9-4.4 millimeters and a duration of 31-32 seconds, and three times of non-harmonic tremors with an amplitude of 4.4-7.4 millimeters and a duration of 85-135 seconds.

According to Bramantya, the results of visual observations showed that there was lava deposit to the northeast as far as about 4.34 kilometers from the center of the eruption and to the northwest as far as about 3.8 kilometers.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) recommends that people around Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki and visitors not carry out activities within a radius of five kilometers from the center of the eruption.

"People affected by the ash rain are advised to use masks or nose and mouth covers to avoid the impact of volcanic ash on the respiratory system," he said.

In addition, the public is asked to be aware of the potential for flash floods on rivers upstream in mountain peaks, especially in the Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote areas when it rains with high intensity.

PVMBG appealed to the public to remain calm, follow the instructions of the local government, and not believe information that is unclear about its source.

Local governments are asked to continue to coordinate with the Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Observation Post and PVMBG to obtain the latest information regarding the mountain's activity.