TEMPO.CO, Kupang - The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reported that 2,782 residents living at the foot of Mount Ili Lewotolok have been evacuated following another eruption occurred on Sunday morning, Nov. 29.

The Lembata BPBD Head Kanis Making in Kupang said that thousands of residents came from 17 villages in Ile Ape subdistrict and nine villages in Ile Ape Timur subdistrict.

“There are six evacuation posts: in the ex-regent office (2,139 evacuees), Ankara hall (32), Central Lewoleba district (140), Tapolangu (228), Baopana Village (15), and Regional Civil Service Agency office (228),” Kanis explained.

The evacuation posts, he added, followed the predetermined health protocol to prevent COVID-19 transmission. There has been no report on casualties thus far, Kanis said.

“We are grateful that we receive assistance from the National Police and the Armed Force (TNI), and the communities are also cooperative so that the evacuation runs without a hitch,” Kanis said.

Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted again on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 13:00 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), spewing ash columns as high as four kilometers above the peak, or around 5,423 meters above sea level. The eruption was recorded at a maximum amplitude of 35 millimeters for about ten minutes.

Also Read: Mount Ili Lewotolok in NTT Erupts, Safety Zone Set at 2 Km from Crater

ANTARA