The alert for a volcano on Indonesia's Lembata island has been raised to the second-highest level following a series of eruptions, prompting the evacuation of nearly 3000 people, officials have said.
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The Lewotolok volcano erupted for the second time in three days on Sunday, sending ash 4000 metres into the sky, according to the country's volcanology survey.
The alert status was raised one notch to orange following the eruptions, said Raditya Jati, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency, on Monday.
As many as 2782 residents living near the volcano have been sheltered temporarily in government offices, he said.
"So far, there are no reports of casualties," Raditya said.
The eruptions forced the closure of the island's Wonopito airport, said the spokesman for the budget carrier Lion Air, Danang Mandala Prihantoro.
Wings Air, part of Lion Air, has cancelled its inaugural flight from Kupang to the airport scheduled for Tuesday, Danang said.
The 1423-metre volcano sent ash 500 metres into the air on Friday.
Indonesia sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for seismic upheavals, and has about 128 active volcanoes.
Australian Associated Press
