2024-11-07 04:28:00
MAOMERE, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Lewatobiraki Raki volcano erupted again on Thursday, three days after erupting at midnight, spewing a column of ash as high as 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) from its summit. It claimed the lives of nine people and injured dozens more.
Currently, no casualties have been reported related to the recent volcanic eruption.
The 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) volcano is located on the remote island of Flores and spews clouds of ash. Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation said in a statement that a mixture of rock, lava and gas spread from the crater to a radius of 1 kilometer (0.6 miles).
Activity at the volcano has decreased since Monday’s eruption, which killed nine people and injured 64 others.
Monday’s eruption affected more than 10,000 residents in 10 towns. Some 4,400 residents moved into emergency shelters after the eruption destroyed seven schools, about 20 homes and a monastery on the predominantly Catholic island.
The country’s volcanic activity monitoring agency has raised the alert for Lewotobi Laki Laki to the highest level and more than doubled the area of the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius, banning any activity in the area.
Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of 120 active volcanoes in the Indonesian archipelago of 280 million inhabitants. The country is located within the “Ring of Fire” (a series of horseshoe-shaped earthquake faults around the Pacific Ocean), making it prone to earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Sutanto, Volcanologist and Disaster Management Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Sutanto. The recent volcanic eruptions on Flores Island have been devastating. Can you provide insight into what caused these eruptions?
**Dr. Sutanto:** Thank you for having me. The eruptions on Flores Island are a result of complex geological processes related to the tectonic activities in the region. Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates frequently collide and cause significant volcanic activity. The recent seismic activity has likely triggered the eruptions we are witnessing now.
**Interviewer:** The reports indicate at least ten fatalities and thousands of people affected. What measures are being taken to assist the local residents?
**Dr. Sutanto:** Emergency response teams are already deployed to assist with evacuations and provide necessary aid such as food, medical supplies, and temporary shelters. The government, alongside various NGOs, is working to ensure that those affected are safe and can access basic needs during this crisis. It’s crucial to manage the immediate risks and support the communities affected.
**Interviewer:** What impact do you expect this will have on the local environment and economy in the longer term?
**Dr. Sutanto:** In the short term, the environmental impact can be severe, including ash fall which can contaminate water supplies and damage crops. Economically, we might see a downturn, especially in sectors like agriculture and tourism, which are vital for the local economy. Recovery will take time, and we will need to assess the damage comprehensively to determine the best way forward.
**Interviewer:** This situation highlights the ongoing threat posed by volcanic activity in Indonesia. What can be done to better prepare communities for such disasters in the future?
**Dr. Sutanto:** Education and preparedness are key. Communities need to be educated about the risks and have clear evacuation plans. Investing in monitoring technology can help predict eruptions, and regional governments should establish sustainable disaster management plans. Strengthening infrastructure to withstand volcanic events is necessary for long-term resilience.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Sutanto, for your insights. Our thoughts are with the people of Flores Island during this difficult time.
**Dr. Sutanto:** Thank you, and let’s hope for the swift recovery of those affected.
