Photo: instagram.com
Gunung Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) erupted. For those of you in the eruption area, here are some tips to stay safe from the eruption danger:
- Follow Information from Official Agencies There are several agencies providing updates on the current disaster situation. For volcanic eruptions, the agency that knows the most about volcanic activity is the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). You can also get the latest info from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) or the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
You can get information about warnings, such as the restricted radius from the peak, eruption status, evacuation routes, shelters, and safe areas from the eruption.
- Wear Long-Sleeve Clothing and Pants Make sure to wear long-sleeve clothes and pants to protect yourself from volcanic ash. You should also wear a mask and protective glasses. The next step is to go to the safe areas recommended by the authorities.
Photo: instagram.com
- Avoid Dangerous Areas Find out about the danger zones during a volcanic eruption. Official announcements must be followed, such as the restriction to stay away from certain areas.
Also, avoid rivers that originate from the volcano as they may carry cold lava, especially during the rainy season.
- Keep Clean at Evacuation Shelters If you're at an evacuation shelter, it's important to maintain cleanliness and stay healthy. If you get injured during the evacuation, immediately check with the nearest health facility for quick treatment.
You need to practice clean and healthy living habits to prevent the spread of disease in the shelter.
- Ship Route Changes Important info for those in the area affected by the eruption of Gunung Lewotobi, such as the adjustment to the KM Egon route. This ship regularly operates on the Waingapu-Lembar route but will now serve Labuan Bajo-Lembar. The ship, scheduled to arrive at Lembar Port on Monday (11/11/2024) at 18:00 WITA, is carrying 100 tourists from Labuan Bajo.
Additionally, Dharma Lautan's RoRo ship will dock at Labuan Bajo on Monday-Tuesday (11-12/11/2024). A fast boat has also been deployed to serve the Labuan Bajo-Sape route. Passengers will then be redirected to unaffected airports like Bima or Lembar.
- Airport Operations Update As of now, airport operations are adjusting to the volcanic ash situation. Based on PVMBG reports, the ash column height observed is around 1,500 meters above the peak, or approximately 3,084 meters above sea level.
Therefore, starting Monday (11/11/2024) at 06:12 WITA, Airnav Indonesia has issued updates on which airports are open or closed due to the eruption impact.
Open airports include Gewayantana Larantuka, Wunopito Lewoleba, Tambolaka, and Waingapu. Closed airports include Komodo International, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda, H Hasan Ende, Soa, and Frans Sales Lega airports.
- Official Emergency Contact Numbers If you or your loved ones are in an emergency situation, don't hesitate to contact the following emergency numbers:
1. National Emergency Call: 112 (Centralized emergency service)
2. Police: 110 (For security and order reports)
3. Ambulance and Emergency Medical Service: 118 or 119 (For rapid medical assistance)
4.Fire Department: 113 (For fire emergencies)
5. National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas): 115 (For evacuation and rescue assistance)
6. National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB): 129 (For disaster-related information and assistance)
- Information Center for BPOLBF During the eruption of Gunung Lewotobi, which affects access to and from Labuan Bajo, you can find information about:
1. Updates on Labuan Bajo accessibility (flights & sea routes), operational hours of Komodo Airport, ASDP Labuan Bajo ferry routes, ticket purchase locations and methods
2. Hotline for hospitals/Police
3. BPOLBF Crisis Center - services offered, locations, types of information available
4. Labuan Bajo weather forecast
5. Accommodation options during the airport closure
6. Available attractions/activities in the city
7. Contact/Hotline for the Shelter
You can contact the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority (BPOLBF) through their online WhatsApp service from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM WITA or visit their 24-hour shelter office at BPOLBF office, Jalan Soekarno Hatta, No. 88, Labuan Bajo.
Keep following updates on the eruption of Gunung Lewotobi by following or tagging Instagram @pesona.indonesia. If you have the latest info on the situation, feel free to share it, Sob. Our best wishes to all those affected by the eruption of Gunung Lewotobi.
