Heightened Alert as Authorities Enforce Exclusion Zone and Issue Health Advisory for Downwind Areas
LEMBATA REGENCY, Indonesia — Mount Ile Lewotolok, a restless volcano on Lembata Island in East Nusa Tenggara, erupted 38 times in a six-hour period early Tuesday morning, propelling glowing lava 200 meters into the air and underscoring the volatile nature of the region’s famed “Ring of Fire.”
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported the series of eruptions from the Level III (Alert) volcano, which began at midnight and continued until 6 a.m. local time. Each eruption lasted between 32 and 36 seconds, accompanied by a powerful, sustained roar. Bright red lava fragments were observed being launched to the south and southeast of the summit crater.
“The eruptive activity included 85 instances of ash emission and one recorded shallow volcanic earthquake,” said Yeremias Kristianto Pugel, an official at the Ile Lewotolok Volcano Observation Post. He confirmed that weather conditions were clear to partly cloudy at the time, with light to moderate winds blowing eastward.
Authorities have urgently reiterated an existing prohibition on all activity within a three-kilometer radius of the volcano’s active crater. This strict exclusion zone is standard for volcanoes at Alert Level III and is designed to protect against the primary hazards of sudden lava flows, rock avalanches, and fast-moving pyroclastic clouds.
“Communities and visitors must be aware of the potential hazards of lava collapses and hot ash clouds in the southern, southeastern, western, and northeastern sectors,” Pugel emphasized in the official bulletin. The repeated eruptions amplify these risks significantly.
Residents in downwind villages have been advised to take essential health precautions. Officials recommend using masks to protect against fine volcanic ash, which can cause severe respiratory irritation, and covering open water supplies to prevent contamination. Eye protection is also advised during ash fall.
For the global community in Bali and travelers monitoring regional conditions, the activity at Ile Lewotolok serves as a potent reminder of Indonesia’s dynamic geology. While the volcano is located over 1000 kilometers east of Bali, its heightened state reflects the broader tectonic activity of the archipelago. Air travel to and from the immediate region may be subject to delays or cancellations depending on ash plume direction, though no widespread disruptions have been reported at this stage.
Mount Ile Lewotolok has been under close observation since its current eruptive phase began. The PVMBG maintains a 24-hour watch, with the public urged to heed all official warnings and stay informed through certified channels. The situation remains fluid, and the alert level could change based on new seismic or visual data.