Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, a volcano located on the remote island of Flores in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, has been erupting since Monday, with the activity intensifying over the past week. On Saturday, the volcano released massive columns of hot ash into the sky, following a deadly eruption earlier in the week that killed nine people and injured many more.
The authorities raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest, warning of further dangers as the eruption continued into the weekend.
The eruption on Friday saw the largest ash cloud yet, reaching an impressive 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in height. Volcanic materials, including rocks, lava, and ash, were ejected up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater.
On Saturday, the volcano released multiple columns of ash, with some reaching 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) into the atmosphere. While no new casualties were reported during these eruptions, the ongoing volcanic activity has raised significant concerns about the safety of nearby residents.
In response to the growing danger, authorities expanded the danger zone around the volcano to an 8-kilometer radius, particularly on the northwest and southwest slopes of the mountain.
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki Eruption in Indonesia Displaces Thousands and Kills Nine
Thousands of people who had evacuated their homes were urged not to return, as the government planned to evacuate about 16,000 residents from the affected areas. The eruption has displaced over 10,000 people across 14 villages, many of whom are now living in makeshift emergency shelters.
The impact of the eruption has been devastating. More than 2,300 homes and public buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including schools, churches, and convents. In addition, a key road connecting East Flores to the neighboring Larantuka district has been rendered impassable.
The volcanic activity has also left craters up to 13 meters wide and 5 meters deep. The damage to infrastructure and the disruption to daily life have forced local authorities to focus on providing relief and ensuring the safety of displaced residents.
Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of Indonesia’s many active volcanoes, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its seismic activity. It is part of a pair of stratovolcanoes in East Flores, commonly referred to as the “husband and wife” mountains.
The Indonesian government has committed to relocating affected residents within six months and is providing financial compensation to those awaiting rehousing. Despite the ongoing volcanic threat, relief efforts continue as authorities work to manage the crisis and assist those in need.
