Indonesian villages told to evacuate as volcano alert hits highest level

INA-  sources


Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the eastern island of Flores, to its highest level following increased seismic activity. The decision, announced on Thursday, comes as officials widen the exclusion zone and order evacuations for six villages amid fears of an imminent eruption.

The latest measures were implemented after volcanic monitoring indicated a sharp rise in seismic activity. Muhammad Wafid, head of Indonesia’s geological agency, confirmed that visual and seismic data showed a sudden surge in volcanic earthquakes. "An eruption could potentially occur in the future," he warned in a statement.

As a result, officials elevated the alert level to the highest tier in Indonesia’s four-stage warning system at 3:00 am local time (1900 GMT Wednesday). The exclusion zone surrounding the crater was expanded from five to six kilometers (three miles), affecting multiple communities. Wafid did not specify the exact number of residents affected but stressed that evacuations were necessary to ensure safety.

The government also warned of the potential for lahar floods, a dangerous mix of volcanic debris and water that can occur if heavy rain falls on the volcano’s slopes. "People around Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki should be on alert for the potential of lahar floods in rivers that originate at the peak if high-intensity rain occurs," Wafid cautioned.