Indonesia Volcano Erupts Again, Spews Massive Ash Cloud

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia has erupted once again, launching a towering ash cloud roughly 18 kilometers (11 miles) high into the atmosphere and prompting renewed evacuations as locals scrambled for safety.

Since early Monday, the volcano on Flores Island began releasing fresh waves of ash and molten rock. Emergency officials confirmed that no injuries have been reported so far. The volcano has remained at its highest risk classification since a major series of eruptions occurred three weeks earlier.

Flight operations in the region were severely impacted, with no fewer than 24 flights linked to Bali being called off on Monday, though a few resumed on Tuesday.

At 11:05 local time (03:05 GMT) Monday, the volcano released its most powerful cloud of hot gases and ash since last November, according to geology agency head Muhammad Wafid.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Wafid told The Associated Press.

The explosion, accompanied by a loud rumble, forced officials to expand the danger zone to seven kilometers from the crater. They also advised residents of the possibility of lahar — fast-moving volcanic mudflows — if downpours occur.

The mountain erupted once more at 19:30 on Monday, shooting ash and lava about 13 kilometers skyward. A third eruption occurred early Tuesday at 05:53, although with diminished force.

Footage recorded overnight displayed fiery lava surging from the peaks as locals boarded vehicles to leave the area in haste.

Local disaster officials say over 4,000 individuals have already been relocated to safer zones.

Meanwhile, those who remain behind are struggling with dwindling access to drinking water, food supplies, and protective face masks, according to nearby community leaders.

“As the eruption continues, with several secondary explosions and ash clouds drifting westward and northward, the affected communities who have not been relocated… require focused emergency response efforts,” say Paulus Sony Sang Tukan, who leads the Pululera village, about 8km from Lewotobi Laki-laki.

“Water is still available, but there’s concern about its cleanliness and whether it has been contaminated, since our entire area was blanketed in thick volcanic ash during yesterday’s [eruptions],” he said.

Indonesia is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — a seismic hotspot known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Lewotobi Laki-laki has erupted on several occasions in recent months, though no injuries have been linked to its activity this year.

Last November, however, an eruption from a different Indonesian volcano led to at least 10 deaths and forced large-scale evacuations.