JAKARTA, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted multiple times on Monday, triggering the highest flight warning, according to the country's Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center.

During the eruption, ash column rose as high as 8 km into the sky, with thick gray clouds drifting westward and northwestward from the volcano.

In response, the authorities raised the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation to the red level, the highest alert, prohibiting aircraft from flying below 6 km in the vicinity. Pilots have also been warned of volcanic ash hazards, which can severely affect aircraft engines and visibility.

To protect local communities, tourists, and visitors, authorities have restricted all activities within a 7-km radius of the crater.

Communities living on the slopes of the volcano have been advised to remain alert to the risk of lava floods that may occur when heavy rains trigger rivers flowing from the summit.

Standing at 1,584 meters, Mount Lewotobi is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes. ■