On November 13, 2024, PowerNetizen.com – Mount Lewotobi on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted, releasing volcanic ash that spread widely and resulted in the cancellation of 90 flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. The ash, carried by winds to the west, has caused significant disruptions to flights and tourism in the region. Additionally, several areas surrounding the volcano have been evacuated to prevent further risks.
In response, the government quickly deployed evacuation teams to affected areas, offering assistance to tourists stranded in popular destinations like Labuan Bajo. “Our priority is the safety of tourists in Labuan Bajo and other affected areas. All our efforts are focused on evacuation and ensuring their safety,” said Lieutenant General Suharyanto, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in an interview.
The Ministry of Education and Culture also acted swiftly by setting up emergency classrooms for children from affected families, ensuring that educational activities can continue despite the crisis. “Children are our priority. We want to ensure they continue to receive their right to education even amidst the disaster,” stated Education Minister Nadiem Makarim, who personally inspected several evacuation sites.
Furthermore, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued warnings about possible coastal flooding due to a supermoon, which could intensify the effects of the eruption in nearby coastal areas. Dwikorita Karnawati, Head of BMKG, emphasized, “We are closely monitoring the situation. People need to be cautious about potential coastal flooding in some areas due to the supermoon coinciding with the extreme weather conditions.”
The government urges the public to follow directions from local authorities and avoid the hazard zone around Mount Lewotobi. BNPB, along with BMKG and related agencies, continues to work closely to monitor developments and provide the latest information to the public.
Written by : Budi Gunawan
