Eruption Warning Issued as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Reaches Top Alert Level

Jakarta: Volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), intensified on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has raised the volcano’s alert status to Level IV, or Awas (the highest level).

“Residents and tourists are advised not to engage in any activity within a 6-kilometer radius, and within 7 kilometers in the southwest–northeast sector from the eruption center,” said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, in an official statement on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Abdul explained that the ‘Awas’ status was issued after the Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Observation Post detected continuous tremors indicating magma movement toward the surface, raising the risk of an explosive eruption.

Seismic data showed a significant increase in harmonic tremors and deep volcanic earthquakes. This suggests the presence of new magma supply at depth and magma migration from shallow zones to the surface, although movement remains relatively slow.

“On Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. local time, an eruption occurred with an ash column reaching 1,000 meters above the summit. Light ashfall was reported in Wulanggitang and Hokeng,” Abdul noted.

He urged residents and tourists to remain calm and follow guidance from local authorities. The public was also advised not to trust unverified information.