“In the event of high-intensity rain, we advise people to be aware of the potential for rain-triggered lava floods,” Emmanuel Rofinus Bere, an officer at PVMBG’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Observation Post, stated in East Flores District, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday morning.
In a report cited in Kupang, he noted that several villages near the active volcano are at risk, including Dulipali, Padang Pasir, Nobo, Nurabelen, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Nawakote.
In addition to highlighting the flood risk, the officer urged residents and tourists to keep away from a seven-kilometer radius around the crater.
“It is crucial for residents to stay calm, follow instructions from local authorities, and avoid narratives from unverified sources,” Bere stated.
Related news: Lewotobi erupts Tuesday night, ash column reaches 2,000m
He also advised people to wear masks or other protective gear to shield their respiratory systems from volcanic ash.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has remained highly active in recent years, with its current danger status set at Level IV — the highest level.
The volcano erupted on Friday (August 1) at about 8:45 p.m. local time, spewing an ash plume about 10 thousand meters above its peak. The eruption, which lasted nearly four minutes according to seismographic records, sent thick gray ash drifting to the west and northwest.
A second eruption followed at 1:26 a.m. local time on Saturday, producing an even darker and higher ash column reaching 18 thousand meters above the crater and leaning west, southwest, and northwest. This eruption lasted more than 14 minutes.
These eruptions released blasting sounds audible from the observation post.
Related news: Dulipali residents evacuated before Lewotobi's cold lava flood
Translator: Kornelis K, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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