Mount Lewotobi, nestled in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted once more on Wednesday, unleashing a plume of ash and volcanic materials that have significantly impacted the region's air quality.
The eruption produced a dense, gray ash column reaching up to three kilometers high, spreading west and southwest from the crater, according to the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center. Despite downgrading the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation to an orange level—the second-highest alert—aircraft are still restricted from flying below five kilometers around the volcano.
Richard Felt, a senior official from the provincial disaster management agency, informed Xinhua that ongoing eruptions since November 4 have deteriorated air quality, leading to respiratory issues among residents. “Although the ash and volcanic materials haven't directly reached residents and evacuees, they have significantly degraded air quality. We anticipated this and distributed face masks, recommending people to use them,” Felt explained.
Evacuation centers accommodating approximately 12,000 evacuees are well-equipped with logistics, essential supplies, and health posts to mitigate the effects of poor air quality.
Authorities remain on high alert for potential lava floods amid heavy rainfall. Several high-risk areas have been identified, and residents have been urged to avoid these zones to ensure their safety.
Standing at 1,584 meters, Mount Lewotobi is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes, highlighting the country's ongoing challenges with volcanic activity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
