Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi, a twin volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province, has erupted violently, spewing thick ash clouds and lava flows that have forced the evacuation of more than 6,500 residents. The sudden eruption has raised fears of further volcanic activity in the coming days.
Volcanic Fury Unleashed
The volcano's more active peak, Lewotobi Laki-Laki, began erupting on Wednesday, sending a massive column of ash nearly 1.5 kilometres into the sky. Local authorities quickly raised the alert level to the second-highest tier as molten lava began flowing down the mountainside.
Mass Evacuation Underway
Emergency teams have established temporary shelters in nearby towns as they work to relocate vulnerable communities. "We've moved over 6,500 people to safety, with priority given to those living within the 4km danger zone," said a spokesperson for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency.
Travel Disruptions and Health Warnings
The eruption has caused significant disruption to regional air travel, with several flights cancelled due to poor visibility. Health officials have distributed masks to protect residents from volcanic ash, which can cause serious respiratory problems.
- Ash plume reaching 1.5km into the atmosphere
- Lava flows visible on the eastern slope
- 6,500+ residents evacuated to temporary shelters
- Flight cancellations affecting regional airports
Indonesia's Volcanic Hotspot
Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", home to about 130 active volcanoes. Mount Lewotobi's twin peaks - Lewotobi Laki-Laki (male) and Lewotobi Perempuan (female) - have shown increased activity since late 2022, with this being the most significant eruption in recent years.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that further eruptions remain possible in the coming days.
