Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, Spews Ash Clouds Prompting Authorities To Raise Highest Alert Level

The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia has erupted, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to ensure safety of residents.

Authorities said the volcano had released ash clouds that were two kilometers above its peak. Due to this condition, officials raised the volcano's alert status to the highest level.

Weeks of Volcanic Activity

They said that the eruption came following weeks of heightened volcanic activity on the mountain, located on eastern Indonesia's Flores Island.

This also prompted the local government to issue an evacuation order for nearby residents. Authorities said that since December 2023, the activity of Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano has already resulted in an increase in displacements.

As of January 10, 2024, a total of 7,015 individuals have been affected, including more than 5,579 people displaced in six evacuation centers.

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) escalated the level of the Mt. Lewotobi Eruption to Level 3 (Standby-Orange) from the previous Level 2 (Yellow).

The local authority has declared an emergency phase for East Florest district for 14 days, from January 1 until January 14, 2024. A total of 24 organizations, including the Indonesian Red Cross and authorities, are supporting the affected people.

Locals are advised by authorities to be on alert for potential flooding as volcanic mudflows pour into rivers. Officials also added that people should wear masks to prevent the dangers of volcanic ash to the respiratory system.

Area of Intense Volcanic Activity

It has been known that the South-east Asian archipelago nation sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense volcanic and seismic activity, and has nearly 130 volcanoes.

To recall, it was on January 9 when Indonesian authorities increased the alert status of Mount Marapi, located on the country's Sumatra island, to the second-highest level and imposed a 4.5km exclusion zone from its crater.

A December eruption of Marapi, which means "mountain of fire", killed 23 people. Officials said that Marapi has a long and violent history, with its first recorded eruption dating back to 1830.

In 1979, the mountain erupted again, killing 60 people. Meanwhile, one person died following an eruption in 1996.

In 2011, the alert level for the volcano, which sits at 2,885 metres (9,465.2 feet) above sea level, was raised from level one to level two, as part of a four-tier alert system used to classify volcanic activity in Indonesia.

Further, for the first week of 2024, the ASEAN region experienced a total of 29 disasters including floods, landslides, wind-related disasters, and volcanic activity. Indonesia and Malaysia were reportedly affected by these events.

According to the Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) of Indonesia, floods, landslides, and wind-related disasters occurred in Banten, Jakarta, Jambi, West Java, Central Java, East Java, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and North Sumatra.

Moreover, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano also reported a volcanic eruption in East Nusa Tenggara. Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) of Malaysia reported flooding events in Johor and Pahang.