• Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, sending ash clouds over 11km high.
• The alert level has been raised to the highest, with a 7km exclusion zone in place.
• Flight cancellations reported, affecting multiple airlines including Jetstar and Qantas.
• Precautions include evacuations in nearby villages due to possible lava flows.

On June 17, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted in Indonesia, generating enormous ash clouds reaching heights of over 11 kilometers, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the highest. The Indonesian Geological Agency reported the eruption as spectacular, with thick grey clouds spreading across the sky, visible for miles around, including from cities located up to 150 kilometers away according to Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and BBC.

In response to the volcanic activity, a 7km exclusion zone was established, with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency reporting at least one village evacuated. Authorities warned residents of potential lahars, or mud flows, if heavy rainfall occurs. No immediate damage or casualties have been reported following this eruption, although prior eruptions in November led to several deaths, as noted by Al Jazeera and India Times.

The eruption has also led to significant cancellations of flights; reports indicate that airlines like Jetstar, Qantas, and several others have grounded services due to the volcanic ash. The Ngurah Rai International Airport continues to operate, albeit with specific route cancellations, further complicating travel plans for many, as detailed by India Times and BBC.