Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, experienced another eruption on Wednesday, 31st January 2024, at approximately 10:21 AM local time. Visible were hot clouds, estimated to reach a height of 700 meters above the summit. The volcanic eruption lasted for 1 minute and 53 seconds, registering a maximum amplitude of 47.3 mm.
Subsequently, the East Flores Regency Government extended the emergency response status for natural disasters from 1st February 2024 to 7th February 2024. Despite Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s status downgrading from Level 4 Warning to Level 3 Alert, thousands of East Flores residents have already been compelled to evacuate.
@putraragilc Detik-detik gunung Lewotobi Laki-laki Meletus dahsyat Warga Panik seketika. Sabtu,6januari2024 Hari ini terkini Baru posting foryou beritanya folow Ig ErickCasper #lewotobimountain #lewotobierupsi#fypシ゚viral #lewotobilakilaki #meletus #malukuutara #malukuberduka ♬ suara asli – ErickCasper
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki also triggered hot clouds that descended 500 meters towards the north. According to the Mountain Observation Post, there were 16 earthquake avalanches characterized by an amplitude range of 3.7-29.6 mm and a duration spanning from 24 to 143 seconds.
Additionally, seven instances of low-frequency amplitude ranging from 4.4-14.8 mm with durations ranging from 8 to 50 seconds were recorded, along with four occurrences of hybrid or multiple phases showing amplitudes between 4.4-10.5 mm and durations of 9-13 seconds.
Initially, the government declared the first phase of the emergency response period for mountain eruptions from 1-14 January. Subsequently, it was extended to the second phase until 24th January 2024 and further continued into the third phase until 31st January 2024.
The Chief of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has allocated an additional IDR 250 million in funds to the East Flores government to aid the affected communities. Residents of East Flores are actively urging the regional government to initiate the relocation of individuals impacted by the volcanic eruption.
According to information from the East Flores government, over 5,000 residents have been compelled to evacuate since 9th January 2024. This evacuation is a precautionary measure due to the unpredictable threat of eruption from Mount Lewatobi Laki, which poses a potential danger to those residing on the mountain slopes.
