Mount Lewotobi Eruptions Prompt Long-term Relocations

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores Island has been experiencing a series of powerful eruptions since November 4, resulting in the deaths of nine people and the evacuation of thousands from the surrounding areas. The eruptions have sent ash columns as high as 10 kilometers into the sky and caused significant damage to over 2,000 homes. Authorities have raised the volcano's alert level to the highest possible and expanded the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer radius. The government plans to permanently relocate more than 2,600 families from the danger zone as a long-term mitigation measure. Rescue operations are ongoing as residents face disruptions from ash-covered roads and damaged infrastructure. Indonesia, located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' is prone to frequent volcanic and seismic activity.