Jakarta: A powerful eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has forced the cancellation of several international flights to Bali and prompted the closure of an airport.
The eruption began on Tuesday, sending a towering column of ash 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) into the sky. Indonesia’s volcanology agency said the volcano erupted again on Wednesday morning, belching a fresh ash plume up to 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) high.
In response to the volcanic activity, Bali’s international airport reported numerous flight cancellations, including services from India, Singapore, and Australia.
Singapore Airlines canceled four flights between Denpasar and Singapore, while its budget arm Scoot also suspended flights to Bali and Lombok. Australia’s JetStar canceled several morning flights to Bali and warned of delays to afternoon services.
Meanwhile, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere, closer to the eruption site, has been shut until Thursday to ensure passenger safety, airport operator AirNav confirmed in an Instagram post.
Local disaster response teams evacuated dozens of residents from two nearby villages. “Streets in the two villages were filled with thick ash, gravel, and sand,” said Avi Hallan, a regional disaster mitigation agency official. No casualties have been reported so far.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency has elevated Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s alert level to the highest possible, urging residents and travelers to remain cautious.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki last erupted in May and remains under close observation. The archipelago nation, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent volcanic activity due to its position atop several active tectonic plates.
