Mount Lewotobi Male Eruption with a 300 Meter High Ash Column

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). ANTARA/Gecio Viana

KUPANG - Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Wulanggitang District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), erupted again at 12.42 WITA with a height of the ash column observed about 300 meters above the peak.

The officer of the Gunung Lewotobi Observation Post, Laki-Laki Bramantya Aji Putra Mahendra, said the ash column reached about 1,884 meters above sea level or about 300 meters above the peak of the mountain.

"The ash is gray in color with a thick intensity and leans towards the west to the northwest," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 4.

The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 29.6 millimeters and a duration of about three minutes and 17 seconds.

Until now, Gunung Lewotobi Laki-Laki is still in Level III or Alert status.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) appealed to the public and tourists not to carry out activities within a radius of five kilometers from the eruption center.

In addition, the public is also asked to remain calm, follow the instructions of the local government, and not easily believe in information that is not clear about its source.

PVMBG also reminded residents to be aware of the potential for flash floods in rivers upstream of the peak of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki if heavy rainfall occurs, especially in the Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote areas.

For people affected by volcanic ash rain, PVMBG urges them to use masks or nose and mouth covers to reduce the risk of respiratory system disorders.