Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia Disrupts Bali Flights

A volcanic eruption in Indonesia has led to widespread flight cancellations and delays for travelers in and out of Bali.

On Tuesday at 5:35 PM local time, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island spewed an ash column over 11 kilometers high, as reported by Indonesia's volcanology agency.

Major airlines, including Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia, have been affected.

Impact on Flights and Safety Measures

By midday Wednesday, Ngurah Rai International Airport had reported over 20 cancellations. Several domestic flights operated by AirAsia to Flores were also grounded.

Authorities have escalated the alert level to its highest, urging residents to stay at least 7 kilometers away from the crater. While no injuries or fatalities have been reported from this recent event, the volcano has a history of dangerous eruptions, including a major one in November that claimed nine lives and displaced thousands.

Officials are cautioning about potential mudflows (lahar) if heavy rains occur and advise residents near the volcano to wear masks for protection against ash.

Evacuations and Ongoing Volcanic Activity

At least one village has been evacuated, and ash fall has been observed in areas outside the immediate exclusion zone.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency has urged residents to vacate safety zones immediately, as persistent tremors indicate the volcano remains highly active. Indonesia is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes due to colliding tectonic plates.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki last erupted in May, at which point its alert level was also raised to the highest.

Interestingly, "Laki-Laki" means "man" in Indonesian and is often paired with "Perempuan" (meaning "woman"), referring to a nearby, taller, and calmer peak.