If you are planning to travel to Bali, you might need to keep it in hold. Travel and regional Indonesian authorities have increased the flight warnings surrounding Bali’s Mount Agung as the volcano’s eruptions sent a plume of volcanic ash and steam more than 6,000 metres into the skies above the popular holiday island.
The authorities have raised the alert to the highest level, fearing that the eruption is forthcoming. The warning came on Sunday 6am local time (22:00 GMT) and the alarm was raised to level four. Roads, cars and buildings near the volcano in the northeast of the island were all covered with ash. At Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali’s main airport, flights were canceled for 24 hours from 7.15 a.m. Monday local time (6 p.m. Sunday ET), stranding roughly 59,000 domestic and international passengers, according to the airport’s latest report.
Bali Tourism Board Chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana said in a statement “while the sun is shining and there is little sign of volcanic ash in the southern regions of Bali, evidence of volcanic ash at higher altitudes on aviation approach and departure paths has prompted the decision to close the airport.” Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has raised its aviation alert notice to Red which is the highest level indicating the imminent scope of eruption.
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes around Mount Agung in September when the alert was first raised. At the time, an evacuation zone of 12 kilometers around Mount Agung was established, and travelers were warned to stay clear of the area. The main tourist attractions are some distance from Mount Agung.
Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” and has more than 120 active volcanoes.
Tags: bali, indonesia, Mount Agung, pacific ring of fire
