Volcanic Eruption Halts Two Dozen Flights Bali, Australia, Singapore

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin-peaked volcano on Flores Island, Indonesia, has led to the cancellation of around two dozen flights to and from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport due to volcanic ash, affecting numerous airlines including Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines. The volcano, which sent an ash column up to 10-11 kilometers high, prompted authorities to raise the alert level to the highest category and expand the exclusion zone to 8 kilometers from the crater. The ash cloud spread over a wide area, causing the evacuation of at least one village and warnings about potential lahar floods from heavy rainfall. Despite significant disruptions and ash coverage over multiple towns, no immediate casualties or major damage have been reported. Bali airport remains operational, but flights depend heavily on airline decisions regarding safety amid ash presence. This eruption echoes a previous deadly eruption in November, underscoring Indonesia's vulnerability as a volcanic archipelago with frequent seismic activity.