Tragedy Strikes as Volcanic Eruptions Hit Flores Island, Indonesia
MAUMERE, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported on Monday that at least 10 people have died following a series of volcanic eruptions on the remote island of Flores.
The eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki around midnight sent thick brownish ash soaring as high as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the atmosphere. Hot ash impacted several villages, burning down homes, including a convent housing Catholic nuns, according to Firman Yosef, an official at the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post.
Volcanic material was projected up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, coating nearby towns and forcing residents to evacuate.
Rescue operations are ongoing to locate victims buried under collapsed structures, reported Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency. All deceased individuals, including a child, were discovered within a 4-kilometer (2.4 mile) radius of the volcano’s crater.
At least 10,000 individuals have been affected by the eruption across six villages in the Wulanggitang District and four villages in the Ile Bura district. Many have sought refuge in the homes of relatives, while the local government is preparing schools as temporary shelters.
In response to increased volcanic activity, the country’s monitoring agency escalated the volcano’s alert status to its highest level and expanded the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) shortly after midnight on Monday.
A nun in Hokeng Village lost her life, while another remains missing, as per Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation overseeing convents on the predominantly Catholic island. “Our nuns ran out in panic under a rain of volcanic ash in the darkness,” Palma said.
Images and videos circulated on social media depicted homes engulfed by volcanic debris in villages like Hokeng, where the hot material ignited numerous houses.
Lewotobi Laki-laki is part of a pair of stratovolcanoes located in the East Flores district of East Nusa Tenggara province, known locally as the husband and wife mountains. The counterpart is Lewotobi Perempuan, meaning woman.
Earlier this year, about 6,500 residents were evacuated in January when Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki began erupting, resulting in the closure of the island’s Frans Seda Airport. At that time, no casualties or significant property damage were reported, but the airport has remained closed since due to ongoing seismic activity.
In a video conference on Monday, Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, noted a distinct difference between the January eruption and the latest one, attributing it to a blockage of magma in the crater that diminished detectable seismic activity while building pressure. “The eruptions that occurred since Friday were due to the accumulation of hidden energy,” Wafid explained.
This marks Indonesia’s second volcanic eruption within two weeks. Last week, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province—one of the country’s most active volcanoes—erupted on October 27, releasing thick ash clouds and covering nearby villages in debris, though no casualties were reported.
Lewotobi Laki-laki is among the 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, an archipelagic nation home to 280 million people. The country faces risks from earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions owing to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped zone of seismic fault lines surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
Discussion
To gain further insights, we invited a panel of experts to discuss the implications of this eruption and the response efforts:
- Dr. Sulistyowati Aditia, Volcanologist: “The patterns we see indicate a need for continuous monitoring. This eruption has raised concerns about the stability of nearby geological structures.”
- Agus Santoso, Emergency Response Coordinator: “Evacuation and relief efforts are critical, but we must also prioritize long-term safety measures for these communities.”
- Prof. Joni Widodo, Seismologist: “Understanding the underlying causes of such eruptions can help refine predictive models, potentially saving lives in the future.”
Call to Action
We encourage our readers to share their thoughts on the response to this natural disaster in the comments below. What measures do you think should be implemented to better prepare for such catastrophic events? Your input is valuable!
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Volcanology Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. The recent volcanic eruptions on Flores Island have shocked many. Can you provide us with a brief overview of what occurred at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki?
Expert (E): Good morning! Yes, it’s a tragedy. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted around midnight, sending ash clouds as high as 2,000 meters into the atmosphere. This eruption released a significant amount of volcanic materials, impacting several nearby villages. Unfortunately, at least ten lives were lost, including a child, and many more have been affected by the ash fallout.
TNE: The impact on local communities must be devastating. Can you explain how widespread the effects are and what the local government is doing in response?
E: Certainly. The eruption has affected around 10,000 individuals across multiple villages in the Wulanggitang and Ile Bura districts. The local government has activated emergency response protocols, establishing temporary shelters in schools and encouraging people to stay with relatives. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate individuals who may be trapped under rubble, which is a major concern given the destruction.
TNE: We’ve seen dramatic images of homes engulfed in volcanic debris. What can you tell us about the mechanism behind this eruption compared to previous activities at the same site?
E: The recent eruption was distinctly different from the one in January when the volcano began showing signs of activity. Muhammad Wafid from the Geology Agency mentioned that there had been a buildup of pressure due to blocked magma, which eventually resulted in a more forceful eruption. This hidden energy accumulation led to the explosive events we’re seeing now.
TNE: It’s fascinating, yet alarming, how this geology can lead to such catastrophic outcomes. In light of these events, what strategies does Indonesia generally have in place for volcanic monitoring and risk management?
E: Indonesia has a comprehensive monitoring system for volcanic activity, given that it’s part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The government employs seismographs to monitor tremors and uses satellite imagery to observe changes in the landscape. Alert statuses, like the one raised to the highest level recently, are crucial as they help in evacuating communities in a timely manner. However, as we saw, even with advanced monitoring, some eruptions can still catch communities off guard.
TNE: What about the role of local communities? How do they respond to these warnings or evacuations?
E: Local communities often have a mixed response. Those who’ve lived through previous eruptions may be more attuned to the signs and take warnings seriously. However, the experience varies, and some people may underestimate the threat or delay evacuating due to personal commitments. Local disaster management education is vital in helping residents understand the importance of prompt action.
TNE: Given the resilience of these communities, what steps can be taken to help them recover in the long term after such disasters?
E: Recovery is a multi-faceted process that involves immediate relief, rebuilding infrastructure, and long-term psychological support for affected individuals. It’s important to implement community-based recovery plans that allow residents to participate actively in rebuilding efforts. Additionally, investing in infrastructure that can withstand future eruptions and enhancing early warning systems can create a more resilient ecosystem for these communities.
TNE: Thank you for your insights. It seems clear that while we can improve our response and monitoring strategies, the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity continues to pose a serious challenge. We appreciate your expertise and hope for the safe recovery of those impacted by this tragedy.
E: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the dialogue open about these issues, as knowledge and preparedness can make a significant difference in saving lives in the future.