Friday, Lewotobi volcano in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara spewed forth with a fantastic show of power, vomiting a gigantic mass of ash 3,500 meters into the air.The explosion pushed thick clouds of ash west and northwest, raising high alert at close-by places and the aviation industry.
After the eruption of the volcano, authorities raised the aviation alert to the second-highest level, the orange level.The alert cautioned against flight within 5 km from the volcano to prevent disruption by ash clouds. Pilots were also cautioned to be on the lookout for volcanic material that causes disruption of flight routes, showing the threat to aviation security.
Warning of safety was also issued to the tourists and community around the area. A 6 km ban from the volcano was enforced, and formal notice against doing anything inside it because of escalating activity at the volcano was issued. Villages along rivers that had been out of the reach of the volcano were warned of higher chances of lava flooding, especially when there is heavy rain.
Public health intervention for both residents and visitors was also recommended. When the ash cloud was attacking air quality, local governments advised wearing face masks to prevent respiratory disease due to volcanic ash.
Mount Lewotobi stands at 1,584 meters and is one of Indonesia's extensive list of 127 active volcanoes.Indonesia is on the Pacific Ring of Fire and so is used to earthquakes and volcanoes, and eruptions are by no means rare. The Mount Lewotobi eruption is a reminder that volcanic eruptions here are highly unpredictable.
Since the eruption, response groups have been deployed to aid affected people and prevent harm to residents and visitors. Continuous observation of volcanic activity will be undertaken and reports will be submitted as and when necessary. As things happen, the public in the area is cautioned to be careful and adhere to all safety guidelines.
