Indonesia continues evacuations from areas affected by volcanic eruption

Emergency teams monitoring situation in affected region, says social affairs minister

Anadolu staff |06.11.2024 -


ANKARA

Authorities in Indonesia have evacuated nearly 2,500 people from areas affected by the ongoing eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, local media reported Wednesday.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf said local officials are working to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people in shelter centers in the affected region, according to the Kompas media outlet.

"The logistical assistance reached refugee camps which were concentrated in three main points, namely Konga Village (1,219 people), Bokang Village (606 people) and Hokeng Village (647 people), as well as other areas," Yusuf said.



Emergency response teams are monitoring the situation in the affected areas, he added.

On Tuesday, local authorities said they asked thousands of people to leave the region and move to shelter camps.

At least 10 people have died so far as a result of the eruption, including a nun, while one person remains missing. Lava flows have damaged several buildings, including a monastery, and rescue teams are searching for more victims.

The eruption has impacted six villages in Wulanggitang district and four in Ile Bura district, affecting an estimated 10,000 people. Authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki to its highest point as the volcano has been emitting thick brown ash columns up to two kilometers (1.24 miles) daily for the past week.

Indonesia, located along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” has 130 active volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid

Indonesia to permanently relocate thousands of residents after volcanic eruptions

November 05, 2024 
By Reuters

Houses are seen damaged from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2024.

JAKARTA, Indonesia —

The Indonesian government plans to permanently relocate thousands of residents after a series of eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano which killed nine people and damaged thousands of houses, officials said.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Sunday night, followed by smaller eruptions on Monday and Tuesday, and remains on the highest volcanic alert status.

Permanent relocation is considered as "long-term mitigation measures" to anticipate similar eruption in the future, said Suharyanto, the head of Indonesia's disaster agency in a statement on Wednesday.

The government aims to relocate all residents living within a 7-kilometer radius from the crater, he added.

There are more than 16,000 residents living in the nearest villages from the volcano, but the government is still calculating how many residents will be permanently relocated.

As of Wednesday morning, at least 2,500 people had been evacuated, said Heronimus Lamawuran, spokesperson of East Flores regional government.

The government will also build houses for the relocation, said Suharyanto without giving further detail.

"The volcano cannot be moved so it is the people who must move to safer locations," Suharyanto said.