Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts, Prompting Highest Alert and Evacuations

One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, erupted dramatically, sending an extensive ash cloud soaring over 11 kilometers into the atmosphere after officials raised the alert to the highest level. The eruption occurred at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), as reported by the country’s volcanology agency, resulting in the ash plume enveloping the popular tourist destination of Flores.

In response to the eruption, authorities established a 7-kilometer exclusion zone surrounding the 1,584-meter (approximately one mile) high volcano, which features twin peaks. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or damage resulting from the eruption.

This recent volcanic activity follows a series of eruptions in November that claimed nine lives and forced thousands to evacuate. Those events also caused significant disruptions in air travel, with multiple flight cancellations due to the ash cloud.

Muhammad Wafid, the head of the geology agency, emphasized that all activities should be avoided within the 7-kilometer radius of the volcano. He also warned of possible lahar floods—mud or debris flows resulting from volcanic materials—if heavy rainfall occurs. Residents in the vicinity were advised to wear face masks to shield themselves from the ash fallout.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed that at least one village had been evacuated, and ash rain was reported in several other areas located outside of the exclusion zone. A spokesperson urged local residents to move to safer locations, as tremors continued to be detected, indicating persistent volcanic activity.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki last erupted in May, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the most severe category at that time. The name Laki-Laki translates to “man” in Indonesian, and it is paired with the taller, yet quieter peak known as Perempuan, meaning “woman.” The dual peaks of Lewotobi stand as a striking reminder of the region’s geological volatility.