Jakarta, Indonesia — Mount Lewotobi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted again on Wednesday, spewing ash and volcanic materials that have significantly worsened air quality in the East Nusa Tenggara province.
The volcano sent a thick, gray column of ash soaring up to three kilometers into the sky, dispersing west and southwest from the crater, according to the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center.
As a safety measure, aviation authorities have downgraded the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation to an orange level, the second-highest alert, prohibiting planes from flying below five kilometers around the volcano.
“Continuous eruptions since November 4 have degraded air quality, causing respiratory issues among several residents,” said Richard Felt, a senior official from the provincial disaster management agency. “We anticipated this and distributed face masks, recommending people to use them.”
Evacuation centers, currently housing approximately 12,000 people, have been equipped with essential supplies and health posts to address the impacts of poor air quality.
Authorities are also on high alert for potential lava floods during heavy rainfall. Several high-risk areas have been identified, and residents are being warned to avoid these zones.
Standing at 1,584 meters, Mount Lewotobi is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, and its recent activity is a reminder of the country’s dynamic geological landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
