Flights to Bali terminated due to volcanic outbreak.
Unleashed Fury: Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Rages, Halting Travel to Bali and Forcing Evacuations
HAVOC IN INDONESIA - The explosive wrath of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara province has thrown a wrench in travel plans and forced mass evacuations, as the towering peak repeatedly spews ash up to 6 to 10 kilometers into the sky[1][2][3].
Dubbed "Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki," the volcano can be found nestled on Flores Island in Indonesia[1]. A string of recent eruptions, particularly on June 17 and 18, 2025, has sent ash clouds soaring high into the atmosphere, triggering the Indonesian government to escalate the alert level to the max (Level 4), expand the danger zone to 8 kilometers, and mandate that citizens remain at least 5 miles (8 kilometers) away from the smoldering crater[1][2].
The ash cloud generated by these eruptions has set off a domino effect, resulting in serious travel disruptions, particularly for locations popular with tourists, such as Bali[1]. Over 1,000 travelers found themselves stranded in Bali upon experiencing flight cancellations associated with the volcanic ash[1]. Travel agencies indicate that the ongoing eruption has led to a cascade of cancellations and delays, though some tourists perceive their extended stay as a silver lining due to safety concerns[1].
Apart from the inconvenience to travelers, the ash cloud has caused chaos for aviation safety, potentially leading to further disruptions[2]. In an Instagram post, the airport operator AirNav announced that they had closed the Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere from Wednesday until Thursday "to guarantee the safety of passengers"[4].
Meanwhile, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's relentless activity has forced local authorities to move dozens of residents from their homes in two surrounding villages owing to the threat of ash fall and potential flooding induced by rain mixing with volcanic debris[1][2]. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported thus far[1][2][3].
Indonesia belongs to the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area marked by high seismic activity due to the convergence of tectonic plates[5]. Our thoughts go out to all affected by this erratic volcanic force, and we hope for a swift resolution to the current crisis. If you're a traveler planning a trip to or from Bali, keep in mind that further flight delays or cancellations might occur due to the ongoing volcanic ash disrupting flight operations[1][2][3].
[1] https://www.bnn-news.com/news/asia/indonesia/mount-lomoko-volcano-spews-ash-plumes-up-to-10-km-high-june-17-2025-8845248
[2] https://www.indonesiaexpat.biz/news/mount-lomoko-volcano-spews-ash-plumes-up-to-10-km-high-june-17-2025-8845248
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924019920300321
[4] https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6i2y1LXHo/
[5] https://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/volcanic-rings/
- The ash cloud from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's recent eruptions has inconvenienced travelers and disrupted flight operations, even affecting tourist destinations such as Bali, while also posing a threat to aviation safety.
- As a result of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki's ongoing activity, the field of environmental science becomes crucial in understanding the volatile weather conditions and predicting the potential impacts on the local environment and community.
