Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on Tuesday and Wednesday, unleashing gigantic ash plumes and showering villages with volcanic debris.

LEMBATA, Indonesia (AP) — Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in south-central Indonesia erupted on Tuesday, spewing towering columns of hot ash into the air. Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to about 5 miles from the crater.

The backlog of flights delayed or cancelled because of the eruption is expected to take some time to clear despite some airlines resuming services.