Indonesia Increases Alert Level for Mount Lewotobi, Widens Major Zone

(MENAFN) Indonesian authorities have increased the alert level for Mount Lewotobi in East Nusa Tenggara and expanded the no-go zone as the volcano continues to erupt. The escalation occurred Sunday night after a series of eruptions, the most significant of which propelled ash six kilometers into the atmosphere. Consequently, the danger radius has been extended from six to seven kilometers for the northwest, north, and northeast sectors surrounding the crater, while a six-kilometer exclusion zone remains for other areas.

Mount Lewotobi erupted once more on Monday at 3:47 PM local time, releasing a five-kilometer-high ash plume. Dense gray clouds are currently drifting north and northwest from the volcano. The aviation warning remains at its highest level, red, advising against flights below six kilometers near the volcano due to the hazardous volcanic ash.

People living near the volcano, along with tourists and visitors, are now prohibited from any activity within a seven-kilometer radius to the west, north, and northeast of the crater. The previous six-kilometer restriction still applies outside these specific zones. Residents in the vicinity are being strongly advised to watch out for potential lava flows triggered by rainfall in rivers originating from the volcano's peak. Those in areas affected by ashfall are urged to use face masks or coverings for protection. Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 meters, is among Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes.

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