"The impact (of the eruption) was widespread, resulting in additional refugees. However, all (their) needs have been met," Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari stated on Wednesday.
While he had yet to receive the exact count of additional refugees due to ongoing data collection, Muhari confirmed that residents from Nurabelen Village in Ile Buran Sub-district had evacuated to a safe location in Konga to avoid exposure to volcanic material.
Others have taken refuge in Nileknoheng Village, which is about five kilometers from the Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in Pululera Village, or about 12 kilometers from the mountain's crater.
Data from BNPB shows 4,838 refugees since the explosive eruption in November 2024. Since then, they have been staying in temporary housing prepared by the government in several villages in East Flores.
Related news: BNPB pledges 500 permanent houses for Lewotobi victims
"We ensure that those who have taken refuge in temporary housing are not significantly affected by yesterday's eruption and that basic facilities, such as electricity and clean water, are available," Muhari remarked.
On Tuesday (June 17), Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted again at around 17:35 local time, sending a column of ash up to 10 thousand meters above the active crater.
Volcanic material in the form of ash, sand, and gravel reportedly fell on residential areas outside the radius of the Disaster Prone Area (KRB), including Boru Village, Hewa Village, and Watobuku Village.
Gravel rain also affected the Lewotobi Laki-laki PGA Post in Pululera. Post officers have since been evacuated to the Pululera Church, about 1.2 kilometers from the post.
BNPB and the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources continue to monitor volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki.
Seismic monitoring equipment in Pululera indicates that tremors and magma movement are still being detected beneath the surface.
BNPB confirmed no reports of fatalities due to the eruption and rain of volcanic material on Tuesday.
Related news: Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, spews 300m ash column
Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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