Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located in East Nusa Tenggara province on the island of Flores, Indonesia, erupted late Tuesday, ejecting a massive ash plume that soared approximately 11 kilometers (about 6.8 miles) into the sky. This powerful eruption prompted authorities to raise the volcano’s alert status to the highest level within Indonesia’s four-tier system.
The volcanic ash cloud forced the cancellation and disruption of dozens of flights arriving at and departing from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, a major gateway for tourists. Flights from countries including Australia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand were among those affected. The airport operator, Angkasa Pura Indonesia, confirmed the cancellations citing volcanic activity.
Local officials evacuated residents from several nearby villages as a precaution, and the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure reported ongoing tremors and eruptions on Wednesday morning. Authorities have established a 7-kilometer (4.35 miles) exclusion zone around the volcano’s crater, warning residents and visitors to avoid the area due to risks including ash inhalation and potential lahar mudflows triggered by rainfall.
Despite the disruption, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. The eruption created a distinctive mushroom-shaped orange ash cloud visible from up to 150 kilometers away, enveloping nearby villages. The airport in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, was also closed until Thursday to ensure passenger safety.
This eruption is part of ongoing volcanic activity in the region, with Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki having erupted multiple times in recent months. The Indonesian government continues to monitor the situation closely to safeguard residents and travelers
