On 17 June 2025, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano, one of two volcanoes on Flores Island, had an explosive eruption, spewing a giant ash column around 10 km into the sky. Indonesia's Geological Agency immediately increased the warning level to the highest (Level IV) and increased the risk area to an 8 km radius. Fortunately, there have been no casualties reported so far.
/*Eruption & Alert Escalation*/
Around 17:35 local time, the twin-peaked volcano released a powerful explosion that hurled dense ash nearly 10 km into the air, with a mushroom cloud visible up to 150 km away, calling for a red aviation alert. Seismic activity had the unusual peak of two hours of activity—50 shakings rather than the 8–10 daily shakings.
/*Evacuations and Civil Warnings*/
Authorities expanded the exclusion zone to an 8 km radius of the crater and advised residents and visitors to wear masks, remain indoors, and be alert for lahars (poisonous volcanic mudflows) due to heavy rain. Although evacuation of towns has not been mandatory, geological authorities warned downstream communities to prepare for emergency relocation.
/*Airspace Impact & International Alerts*/
Australia's Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre issued a red aviation warning due to the ash plume's height and density, citing serious safety risks for flights. Japan's Meteorological Agency also took concern about tsunami waves generated by the eruption, though assessments are ongoing. Local airports stand ready.
Multiple international flights from India, Singapore, and Australia to Bali were cancelled as a precaution following the volcanic eruption. Jetstar, the low-cost carrier of Qantas, cancelled several morning flights from Australia to Bali, with further delays anticipated throughout the day. At Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, over 20 flights were cancelled and numerous others delayed due to ash-related safety concerns.
Among the affected carriers, Air India’s flight AI2145, scheduled for June 18 from Delhi to Bali, was forced to return to Delhi mid-flight after warnings of volcanic ash near the destination. In a statement, Air India said the decision was made “in the interest of safety.”
/*Context & Past Activity*/
Mount Lewotobi also experienced previous big eruptions this year in March and mid-May, both of which prompted short‑term evacuations and alert level increases. Specifically, the November 2024 blast killed nine people and left numerous others injured, prompting mass evacuations and flight interruptions. This activity is used to illustrate the volatility of the volcano as part of the Indonesian Ring of Fire.
The HT News Desk of Hindustan Times reported how villagers watched in awe as a behemoth, mushroom-like ash cloud burst skywards—a dreaded reminder of the wrath of nature.