Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has made headlines yet again, erupting spectacularly on 17 June 2024. The eruption sent an impressive ash cloud soaring up to 11 km into the sky, prompting officials to raise the volcano’s alert level to the highest category.
Flight Disruptions and Resumptions
In the wake of the eruption, travel plans were thrown into chaos, affecting 87 flights—66 international and 21 domestic—scheduled to and from Bali on 18 June 2024. Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Virgin Australia were all part of this disruption, with many flights cancelled or delayed.
- International flights affected included routes to Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- Domestic connections within Indonesia were also impacted.
Thankfully, by 19 June 2024, operations returned to normal, with all flights departing and arriving as scheduled. Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, an official at Bali airport, confirmed, “Until now, all operations have been running smoothly.”
Safety Measures and Evacuations
As a precaution, several residents from three nearby villages have been evacuated. The local disaster mitigation agency has been actively overseeing these evacuations to ensure safety from potential lava flows, especially if heavy rainfall occurs. This eruption marks the largest since a series of eruptions beginning in November 2023, which tragically resulted in nine fatalities.
Bali’s Resilience and Volcano Activity
Notably, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has already erupted 427 times this year alone, exemplifying the ongoing volcanic activity in the region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. This area sits atop several tectonic plates, making it a hotspot for seismic occurrences.
As we navigate through these unpredictable natural events, the resilience of local communities remains commendable. With emergency protocols in place and swift evacuations, authorities continue to prioritise the safety of residents and tourists alike.