Mount Lewotobi Erupts Indonesia, Halts Dozens Flights, Forces Evacuations

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday, sending an ash plume nearly 11 kilometers high and prompting authorities to raise the alert to the highest level. The eruption caused ash and volcanic debris to fall on nearby villages, leading to evacuations and the imposition of exclusion zones up to 8 kilometers from the crater. The eruption disrupted air travel significantly, resulting in the cancellation or diversion of dozens of flights to and from Bali's main airport, with major airlines such as Jetstar, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air India, and Air New Zealand affected. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported ongoing volcanic activity and noted that the eruption was one of the major events of 2025, with the ash cloud visible from over 90 miles away. Indonesia is concurrently managing other natural disasters, including landslides and floods in different provinces. Despite the disruptions, some airports remained operational with varying service availability depending on routes and airlines.