Mount Lewotobi: PVMBG issues warning of cold lava floods

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) has warned people of the risks of rain-triggered cold lava floods from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara, despite declining volcanic activities.

"(The warning was issued) Because we have detected a tremor of 7.4 mm amplitude with a duration of 2,116 seconds caused by cold lava floods," officer of PVMBG's Mount Lewotobi Monitoring Post, Bobyson Lamanepa, said in East Flores District, on Sunday.

Earlier on February 29, the PVMBG had lowered the volcano's status from Level IV to Level III, or Alert, based on the decline in volcanic activities.

However, Lamanepa noted that Mount Lewotobi is still experiencing eruptions, resulting in a build up of lava materials at the peak.

On that note, he urged people in the vicinity of the mountain to be cautious of cold lava floods, especially during high-intensity rains.

"Bearing that in mind, it is critical for the people to be alert of the possibility of cold lava floods coming from rivers connected to the peak of the mountain in the event of downpour," he pointed out.

Based on the monitoring post's map of volcanic disaster-prone areas, cold lava floods are likely to hit several villages in the sub-districts of Ile Bura and Wulanggitang in East Flores.

Lamanepa then emphasized that the monitoring post has continued to conduct observation on Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki every six hours, noting that the volcano is still erupting and triggering avalanche tremors and low-frequency tremors on a daily basis.

"Our recommendation remains the same: do not do activities within a radius of four kilometers from the center of eruptions," he said. 



Baca juga: BNPB provides basic needs assistance to Lewotobi eruption evacuees

Baca juga: Mt. Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcanic activity continues to decline: PVMBG