Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) announced on November 6 that thousands of residents around Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores island will be permanently relocated following recent eruptions that claimed nine lives.
Authorities have raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest in Indonesia’s four-tier system, advising residents and tourists to stay at least seven kilometres from the crater. Over 2,600 families in the surrounding area are set for permanent relocation.
BNPB Chief Suharyanto stated that this relocation aims to prevent future tragedies in the event of similar eruptions.
He added that the government will assist residents in moving to a new location or building homes on land they already own.
BNPB's Spokesperson Abdul Muhari noted that this decision is part of a long-term mitigation strategy to prepare for future eruptions.
The volcano erupted three times on November 4, sending ash columns two kilometres high, and continued on November 5.
Over 10,000 people have been affected by the activity, which also included multiple earthquakes and continuous ash emissions last week, reaching heights between 500 and 2,000 metres.
Located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions./.
