PVMBG Enforces Two-Kilometer Exclusion Zone at Mount Lewotolok
- 29 Sep 2026 16:35 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- PVMBG prohibits entry within two kilometers of Mount Lewotolok’s active crater due to ongoing volcanic activity.
- Lembata authorities have temporarily restricted mountain tourism, large gatherings and cultural events in hazard-prone areas.
RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Mitigation (PVMBG) has prohibited tourists, hikers, and local residents from entering a two-kilometer radius around the active crater of Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
An observer at the Mount Ile Lewotolok Monitoring Post, Stanislaus Ara Kian, stated on Tuesday that the strict exclusion zone remains a core recommendation due to ongoing volcanic activity.
"In accordance with our official recommendations, no activities are permitted within a two-kilometer radius of the active center of Mount Ile Lewotolok," Stanislaus said when contacted from Kupang on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Despite clear safety protocols, monitoring officials noted that some individuals continue to bypass warnings to hike the slopes. Stanislaus emphasized that Mount Ile Lewotolok remains at Level II, with surface activity posing severe risks of sudden material ejection, hot cloud surges, and toxic gas exposure.
In response to elevated volcanic risks, the Lembata Regency Administration issued an official circular restricting community gatherings, mountain tourism, and traditional cultural festivals in hazard-prone areas.
"Traditional and cultural events involving large crowds in disaster-prone areas, including tourism and the Pesta Kacang (Bean Festival), are temporarily postponed until further notice based on PPGA-PVMBG recommendations," said Lembata Regent Kanisius Tuaq.
Local authorities reiterated that compliance with the exclusion zone is mandatory to ensure public safety and prevent casualties in the event of an unexpected eruption. ***
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