- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
On June 17, 2025, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted dramatically, sending a massive ash cloud approximately 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) into the sky. The Indonesian authorities responded by raising the volcano's alert status to the highest level and expanding the danger zone to an 8-kilometre radius around the crater.
The eruption occurred at 5:35 PM local time, creating a thick, grey, mushroom-shaped ash cloud visible from cities as far as 150 kilometres away. According to the Indonesian Geological Agency, volcanic activity surged sharply, with 50 incidents recorded in just two hours, a significant jump from the usual 8 to 10 daily events.
Evacuations And Public Warnings Issued
Hundreds of residents living near the volcano were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Officials warned about the possibility of lava flows and dangerous lahar (volcanic mudflows) triggered by heavy rain. Citizens and tourists were strongly advised to stay outside the 8-kilometer exclusion zone, remain calm, and follow official government instructions. Authorities also urged the public to avoid misinformation and rely only on verified sources.
Indonesian volcano erupts; sends huge smoke plumes into the sky.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 17, 2025
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has erupted sending an 11km ash cloud into air and forcing evacuations nearby.
The volcano is a 1,584-metre-high twin-peaked volcano on the island of Flores.
pic.twitter.com/P23t7TFprp
Despite the scale of the eruption, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major infrastructure damage. However, the widespread ash cloud raised concerns about air travel disruptions. While some regional flights were delayed or cancelled, major airports, including Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, continued operations without closure.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, standing 1,584 meters (5,197 feet) tall, forms part of a twin volcano system with the more dormant Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. The volcano has a track record of significant activity, including a deadly eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured many others.
Located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Indonesia is prone to frequent seismic and volcanic events. With 120 active volcanoes and a population of over 270 million people, the archipelago faces ongoing challenges from natural hazards like this latest eruption.