Volcanic Dust Warning Issued for Residents Near Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Geological Agency has issued a warning to residents of four villages near Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, to be cautious of volcanic dust. The volcano has erupted four times in the past two days, with ash plumes reaching 1,000 meters high.

“For the past two days, the ash has predominantly drifted northwest, so villages in that direction should be vigilant,” Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Observation Post Observer Emanuel Rofinus Bere said at the Lewotobi Laki-laki Volcano Observation Post on Monday, July 29, 2024, as reported by Antara.

The affected villages include Wolorona Hamlet, Hokeng Jaya Village, Pululera Village, Klatanlou Village, and Dulipali Village. Residents are advised to wear masks to protect against the health risks posed by volcanic dust.

The Geological Agency maintains the volcano's alert status at level III, restricting public activity within a 3-kilometer radius of the eruption center for both Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki and Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. 

The restricted area also extends 4 kilometers northeast and 5 kilometers north-northeast of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's eruption center.

The East Flores Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has responded by preparing water tanks and spraying down dusty roads and alleys in affected villages. According to the agency’s head of emergency Avelina Hallan, BPBD also distributed mineral water to residents.

ANTARA

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