Several flights to and from Bali have been cancelled or delayed following a significant eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. The eruption occurred on Tuesday at 5:35 PM local time, sending an ash plume soaring more than 11 kilometers (about 6.8 miles) into the sky, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. However, authorities have raised the alert level to the highest status and advised people to stay clear of a 7-kilometer radius around the volcano’s crater.
Major airlines, including Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia, have cancelled flights to Bali, which is located west of Flores Island where the volcano is situated. Flight data from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport indicated that over 20 flights were cancelled by noon on Wednesday. Domestic flights from AirAsia heading to Flores have also been affected.
The Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano is known for its activity. It erupted multiple times last November, resulting in nine deaths and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. In light of the recent eruption, Muhammad Wafid, head of the geology agency, warned about the risk of lahar floods—mudflows that can occur if heavy rains hit the area.
Residents near the volcano have been advised to wear face masks to protect themselves from ashfall. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has reported that at least one village has been evacuated, and ash rain has been noted in other communities outside the exclusion zone.
A spokesperson for the agency urged those living around the volcano to evacuate to safer areas, as tremors continue to be felt, indicating that volcanic activity is ongoing.
Indonesia is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region known for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to tectonic plate movements. The last eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki occurred in May, prompting authorities to raise the alert level then as well. The volcano is paired with a taller, calmer volcano named Perempuan, which means "woman" in Indonesian, while Laki-Laki means "man."
As the situation develops, travelers and residents are advised to stay updated on safety measures and flight statuses.