Indonesia to permanently relocate thousands after Lewotobi eruption kills 9
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) announced on November 6, 2024, that thousands of residents around Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores island will be permanently relocated following recent eruptions that claimed nine lives.
Eruption at Lewotobi Laki-laki on November 5, 2024. Credit: PVMBG
The Indonesian government has initiated plans for a permanent relocation of residents near the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores Island after a series of eruptions on November 3, which resulted in nine fatalities and damage to thousands of homes.
Smaller eruptions followed on November 4 and 5, keeping the volcano on the highest alert status.
BNPB Chief Suharyanto said that the decision to relocate residents permanently is a long-term mitigation measure to prevent future loss of life and damage from potential eruptions.
The relocation effort will focus on moving residents living within a 7 km (4 miles) radius of the crater, an area deemed highly vulnerable.
Over 16 000 residents lived in villages near the volcano before the eruption, though the government is still determining how many people will need permanent relocation. Currently, at least 2 500 individuals have been evacuated, according to East Flores regional government spokesperson Heronimus Lamawuran.
In addition to relocation, the government plans to construct new housing for affected residents, though specific details have yet to be released.
A state of emergency has been declared in the area for the next 57 days, with all activity prohibited within the seven-kilometer exclusion zone surrounding the volcano.
The decision follows a major eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on Sunday, November 3 that produced an ash column rising 12.2 km (40 000 feet) above sea level and ejected lava bombs up to 4 km (2.1 miles) away from the crater.
According to Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for BNPB, 9 people have been confirmed dead and 2 384 homes were damaged.
“As of Tuesday, November 5, approximately 2 472 of the 16 086 residents from eight villages have been evacuated,” said East Flores regional government spokesperson Heronimus Lamawuran.
The eruption affected 10 295 individuals, including 2 734 family heads from 14 villages in the sub-districts of Ile Bura, Titehena, and Wulanggitang.
An analysis by the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources indicated that these villages are at risk not only from volcanic eruptions but, if not relocated, could also face cold lava floods from Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in the future.
“To avoid similar future risks, two relocation schemes are being offered: residents may relocate independently to their land in other areas, where the government will assist with housing, or they may follow a government-prepared relocation,” said BNPB Head Suharyanto.
BNPB, in collaboration with the East Flores Regency Government, will implement the relocation schemes for the affected residents.
References:
1 A total of 10,295 residents were relocated from the foot of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki – Antara – November 6, 2024
2 Indonesia to evacuate 16,000 people after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki eruption – Reuters – November 5, 2024
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