Flores Timur’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki downgraded as activity eases

Flores Timur, East Nusa Tenggara — Indonesia’s geological agency lowered Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s alert status from Level III, or Siaga, to Level II, or Waspada, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, after monitoring showed a sustained decline in volcanic activity, according to local reports citing the agency. The new status took effect at 8 a.m. local time.

The downgrade followed an evaluation of visual and instrumental observations that showed reduced eruptive activity, no eruption earthquakes recorded since early September, and weaker shallow seismicity, according to reports published the same day. Officials said the volcano was still active and that monitoring would continue.

Local reports said the decision was made by the Geological Agency under the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry after activity at the volcano in Flores Timur, East Nusa Tenggara, eased through mid-September. The mountain had been at Level III for weeks amid repeated eruptions.

Even at Level II, authorities kept restrictions in place for residents and visitors near the crater area. Reports said people were still told to stay outside a 4-kilometer radius from the center of activity.

Why it matters

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has been one of Indonesia’s most closely watched volcanoes this year because eruptions can disrupt travel, damage nearby villages and affect communities across Flores. A lower alert level signals less intense activity, but it does not mean the volcano is safe.

Officials continued to urge vigilance as the volcano remained under observation. The downgrade is likely to ease some immediate concern for nearby communities, while leaving the broader hazard picture unchanged.

Sources

• detikBali
• Okezone
• RRI