Jakarta - (Saba):
The Levutopi Laki-Laki volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted last night, spewing a massive ash plume nearly 10,000 meters above the volcano's summit.
The 1,584-meter-high volcano is located on the tourist island of Flores, east of Bali, and is part of a chain of double-peaked volcanoes.
Indonesian authorities raised the alert level to the highest level on their four-level disaster warning system after a thick gray ash plume was observed rising from the crater. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption.
Meanwhile, authorities have warned residents and tourists to avoid approaching the volcano within a radius of at least 7 kilometers. They also advised residents to wear masks to protect themselves from ash.
Experts have warned of the potential for dangerous volcanic mudflows in the event of heavy rainfall, especially in areas near waterways.
The volcanic eruption has led to the cancellation of dozens of flights to and from Bali, with several international airlines canceling their flights in anticipation of the ash cloud.
Meanwhile, limited evacuations have begun in some villages near the volcano, as ashfall has been reported in areas outside the designated danger zone.
Indonesia is located within the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity.