Kelimutu restricts visits after new crater-rim cracks
Kelimutu National Park restricted visits to 07:00–12:00 WITA and closed two crater areas after new cracks and landslide damage were reported following the 15 August Flores earthquake.
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 2 min read
Ende — Kelimutu National Park has limited visits to 07:00–12:00 WITA (UTC+8) from 22 September 2026 after new cracks and landslide areas were reported around the crater rims. The park has also temporarily closed access to Tiwu Ata Polo and Tiwu Ko’ofai Nuwamuri. The restrictions were reported after the 15 August 2026 Flores earthquake, which was measured at magnitude 7,7 in the cited report.
RRI reported that new cracks were found on the rim of Kawah Dua, or Tiwu Ko’ofai Nuwamuri. The report said the cracks were estimated to extend 20 to 30 metres. Visitors are prohibited from approaching the rims of the two affected craters because of the risk associated with cracks and landslides.
Why it matters to readers
The restriction affects travel planning for visitors to Kelimutu in Ende. The revised hours mean that access is available only during the stated daytime window, rather than before sunrise. RRI said the summit area of the Kelimutu lakes remained accessible, while access to the two named crater areas was temporarily closed.
Tribunnews reported that the visiting-hour decision followed discussions involving PVMBG, the local government, police and BPBD. PVMBG is Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, while BPBD refers to the regional disaster-management agency. The report attributed the decision to park official Heru and said the measure was intended to protect visitors after cracks and landslide damage appeared around the crater rims.
The earlier earthquake is context for the new restrictions. Tribunnews reported that the quake occurred on 15 August 2026 and caused the new cracks at Kelimutu. RRI reported that the park adjusted visitor hours because of the new cracks and said the temporary closures covered Tiwu Ata Polo and Tiwu Ko’ofai Nuwamuri.
Sources
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