Jun 05, Kathmandu - Mount Lewotobi Laki-Lakii, an active volcano in eastern Indonesia, erupted repeatedly on Friday, sending a thick plume of ash into the air, forcing the closure of local airports, officials said.

The volcano on the island of Flores erupted at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, sending smoke and ash into the air 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) away, the National Volcanology and Seismological Service said in a statement. Levotobi Laki-Laki is Indonesia’s second-highest alert level volcano, with a five-kilometer (3.9-mile) exclusion zone around its crater.

The volcanology and seismological service also advised residents near rivers to be on alert, warning that heavy rains could cause dangerous flooding with volcanic ash mixed with the eruption material. Authorities suspended operations at the local airport in the town of Maumere, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Levotobi Laki-Laki, affecting five domestic flights, AFP quoted airport chief Partahian Panjaitan as saying.

Earlier in July, Levotobi Laki-Laki erupted, sending ash and smoke into the area 18km (8 miles) away, forcing the cancellation of 24 flights at the resort island of Bali's international airport. Indonesia is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".