2LT International News

LEMBATA, Indonesia: Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted dramatically on June 18, generating substantial ash and smoke plumes. The eruption resulted in the evacuation of nearby villages and the cancellation of numerous flights, including those to the popular resort island of Bali.

The series of eruptions, which began on the evening of June 17 and continued into the next day, propelled ash to altitudes of 5,000 meters (approximately 16,400 feet). One of the eruptions produced thick, gray clouds that reached heights of 10,000 meters (around 32,800 feet), creating a mushroom-shaped ash formation visible up to 150 kilometers (nearly 93 miles) away.

In response to the escalating volcanic activity, the alert level was raised to the highest designation, and the danger zone recommending evacuation was extended to an area of up to eight kilometers (about five miles) from the crater.

Officials also relocated personnel from the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring station, which is situated seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from the crater, due to the threat posed by falling debris. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties as a result of the eruptions.

Despite the danger zone being carefully defined, ash and debris were detected over a wider area, affecting villages such as Boru, Hewa, and Watobuku. Residents from Nurabelen village in Ile Bura subdistrict sought refuge in evacuation centers, with reports indicating some evacuated to Nileknoheng village, located 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) from the volcano’s crater.

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, stated that the safety of residents remains a priority.

The impact of the eruptions extended to air travel, with dozens of flights grounded on June 18, affecting connections between Bali and cities in Australia, Malaysia, India, and China, as listed on the Bali I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport’s website.

Volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, compelling airlines to cancel flights to maintain passenger safety. This affected thousands of travelers, particularly those relying on Australian carrier Jetstar, which indicated that the ash cloud was expected to dissipate midweek, allowing rescheduling of some services.

Air New Zealand also canceled a return flight to Auckland and offered passengers rebooking options for the subsequent available flights. Additionally, flights to New Delhi, Singapore, and Pudong, China, were suspended in light of the ongoing volcanic activity, as indicated on Denpasar airport’s website.

Mount Lewotobi Laki, standing at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet), is part of a twin volcano system alongside Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in Flores Timur district. The volcano has exhibited heightened activity over recent months, with previous eruptions claiming lives and necessitating safety measures.

Situated within the “Ring of Fire,” Indonesia is home to 120 active volcanoes, making it a region prone to frequent seismic events that affect its population of 270 million.