East Flores, Indonesia — Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano located on the island of Flores in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted for a second consecutive day on Saturday, launching a towering column of ash and volcanic material up to 18 kilometers (approximately 11 miles) into the atmosphere. The back-to-back eruptions have blanketed nearby villages in ash and debris, prompting increased monitoring by Indonesia’s geological authorities, though no casualties have been reported as of Saturday evening.
The first eruption was recorded on Friday evening, surprising many residents with its intensity. Saturday’s eruption was even more powerful, creating a dense ash plume that reached the upper levels of the troposphere and was visible from several kilometers away. Authorities have confirmed the ash cloud was carried by wind across the surrounding region, significantly reducing visibility and coating homes, roads, and farmland in a thick layer of grey dust.
Local officials have raised the alert level for the volcano and are urging residents living within a designated hazard zone to remain vigilant and follow evacuation protocols if necessary. While no immediate evacuations have been ordered, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is coordinating with regional authorities to prepare temporary shelters and distribute protective masks and emergency supplies to affected areas.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, part of the twin volcano complex that includes Lewotobi Perempuan, is a stratovolcano known for its historically sporadic but significant eruptions. Saturday’s explosive activity is among the strongest recorded in recent years, drawing comparisons to eruptions earlier in the decade that disrupted air travel and damaged agriculture across the region.
The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued a warning to aviation authorities, as the ash column poses a potential threat to aircraft operating in the area. Volcanic ash can severely damage jet engines and impair visibility, prompting several domestic flights in eastern Indonesia to be delayed or rerouted as a precaution.
Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is home to more than 120 active volcanoes and is among the most volcanically active regions in the world. Eruptions such as the one at Lewotobi Laki-Laki are not uncommon, though their intensity and duration can vary significantly. Scientists are closely monitoring seismic activity, gas emissions, and other indicators to assess the likelihood of further eruptions in the coming days.
For now, residents and travelers in the region are advised to stay informed through official government channels and heed any further warnings. As cleanup efforts begin in ash-covered communities, the long-term impact of the eruption on agriculture, infrastructure, and air quality remains to be assessed.