Indonesia: Increased volcanic activity continues at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara Province as of Nov. 18 /update 4

Eruptive activity continues at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, as of Nov. 18. A significant eruption occurred at Lewotobi at around 23:57 Nov. 3, producing an ash column as high as 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). Authorities have confirmed 10 fatalities in Klatanlo Village, Wulanggitang District; the eruption also resulted in at least 63 injuries and damaged around 2,384 houses and 25 schools. Dozens of further eruptions have occurred at the volcano Nov. 4-18, leading to thousands of people being evacuated from surrounding areas and airport closures due to volcanic ash. Lava flows and increased seismic activity have also been recorded at the volcano; lava flows are currently extending around 4,3 km (2.7 miles) to the northeast of the crater and 3.8 km (2.4 miles) to the west-northwest. Further eruptive activity is likely at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki and surrounding areas may continue to be affected by ashfall, lava flows, other eruptive material, and seismic activity.

Authorities have evacuated more than 13,600 people from communities near the volcano, many of whom are being housed in at least eight evacuation sites established across the region. Authorities plan to permanently relocate several thousand people living in villages located closest to the volcano crater. The East Flores Regency government has extended the emergency alert status for the Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki disaster through Dec. 31.

Officials increased the alert level at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki from Level 3 to 4 (the highest level on a four-tier scale) Nov. 4. Crews are maintaining an exclusion zone of 7 km (4 miles) around the volcano's crater but have extended the impact areas in the northwest to southwest sectors to 8 km (6 miles). Authorities have advised residents to be vigilant for potential pyroclastic flows, lava flows, lahars, and landslides along rivers and valleys on the flanks of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki. If continued eruptive episodes occur, officials may issue further evacuation orders in the coming days or weeks.

Several regional airports across Flores Island have been closed over the past two weeks due to the eruptive activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, including Frans Seda Maumere Airport (MOF) in Sikka Regency, Gewayantana Airport (LKN) in Larantuka in East Flores Regency, H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (ENE) in Ende Regency, Bajawa Soa Airport (BJW) in Ngada Regency, and Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo. Virgin Australia (VA) also canceled flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) Nov. 12-13, while Jetstar Airways (JQ) canceled all flights through noon Nov. 14 due to safety concerns; other flight delays and cancellations have also occurred at the airport. However, as of Nov. 18, flights have generally begun to resume normal operations, with flights to and from Bali resuming and all airports across Flores Island having reopened, with the exception of Frans Seda Maumere Airport (MOF). Further flight disruptions are possible in the region over the coming days, depending on the activity levels at Lewotobi Laki-laki and prevailing wind directions. Authorities may impose ground travel restrictions along roads in affected areas, as the ash could reduce visibility and make streets slippery. Localized ground traffic disruptions are possible.

Volcanic activity may impact air quality in the areas of East Nusa Tenggara Province surrounding Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki. Air quality could become a concern, particularly in areas near the crater, following an explosive event. Individuals in the region - especially those with underlying pulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or lung cancers - may experience difficulty breathing and could suffer from lower tolerance to physical exertion.