Lembata Halts Tourism and Pesta Kacang as Mount Ile Lewotolok Rises

RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - The traditional Pesta Kacang (Bean Festival) ritual and various cultural activities in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have been postponed following an increase in volcanic activity at Mount Ile Lewotolok. The measure was taken by the Lembata Regency Administration to protect residents from potential eruptions and pyroclastic flows in disaster-prone areas.

“Traditional and cultural activities involving large gatherings in disaster-prone areas, as well as tourism activities, including Pesta Kacang, are temporarily postponed until further notice from the regional administration based on recommendations from the PPGA-PVMBG (the Volcano Observation Post of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation),” Lembata Regent, Petrus Kanisius Tuaq, said in a circular issued in Lewoleba on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

He explained that the restrictions were imposed as a mitigation measure to protect residents from potential volcanic hazards. These risks include eruptions, pyroclastic flows, ejected volcanic materials, toxic gases, and rain-triggered lahars in the vicinity of the volcano.

Based on observations by the Ile Lewotolok PPGA-PVMBG on September 15, 2026, the volcano’s activity level was at Level II.

In addition to traditional and cultural activities, the regional administration has prohibited climbing, camping, and other activities within a radius of two kilometers and three kilometers from the crater summit.

Tourism operators have been instructed to temporarily close hiking routes and install warning signs to prevent residents and tourists from entering areas potentially affected by volcanic activity.

The administration has also prohibited agricultural activities, farming, grass cutting, and other economic activities within the designated danger zones.

Kanisius asked the heads of the Ile Ape and East Ile Ape Subdistricts, along with village heads in the areas, to immediately disseminate the circular to residents, traditional leaders, and tourism groups.

They were also instructed to conduct daily monitoring and submit reports to the Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) of the Lembata Regency Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). In addition, they must prepare evacuation routes and assembly points as a precautionary measure should the volcano’s status increase.

“Residents are urged to remain calm, avoid being influenced by rumors, follow the instructions of officials, and immediately report any signs of increased volcanic activity to their village head or subdistrict head,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

The circular took effect on the date of issuance and will remain in force until it is revoked based on the latest evaluation and recommendations from the Ile Lewotolok PPGA-PVMBG. ***