JAKARTA: An Indonesian volcano spewed a 10-kilometre (6.2-miles) molten plume of ash topped by lightning into the Friday night sky, weeks after another huge eruption triggered dozens of flight cancellations in Bali.

According to the country`s volcanology agency, the height of the eruption column at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-metre-high volcano on the tourist island of Flores, was approximately 10,000 metres above the summit.

The eruption was triggered by a gas buildup in recent weeks, the agency`s head said in a statement.

He also warned of the possibility of hazardous floods a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials if heavy rain occurs, particularly for communities near rivers.Tourists and residents were told to avoid a six-kilometre radius around the crater. Pictures shared by the geological agency showed volcanic lightning near the top of the ash plume.

Last month, the volcano spewed a colossal 18-kilometre tower of ash, scrapping 24 flights at Bali`s international airport.

There were no immediate reports of cancelled flights after Friday`s eruption.

Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703-metre volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific `Ring of Fire`.-AFP