Fear of an imminent major explosion of Bali‘s Mount Agung has left more than 24,000 residents nearing the danger zone to abandon the area, in seek of temporary shelter. Having erupted three times since its first warning alerts, multiple flights to and from Bali have been cancelled thus far, leaving thousands stranded on the island.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Bali’s international airport will be closed for a 24-hour evaluation and will consider resuming operations on Tuesday depending on the situation. As plumes of volcanic ash reached heights of 4,000 meters, the dismay of damages caused to plane engines has also led to the closing of the international airport in the neighbouring island of Lombok.
Mount Agung showed higher levels of activity since September 2017, escalating to three eruptions just over the weekend. As burning red glow appears and volcanic ash rains down, Mount Agung’s alert status has been raised from Alert Level 3 to Awas (level 4) in just a few days, advising residents and tourists within 10km of the volcano to evacuate.
River channels surrounding Mount Agung are also off limits as destructive mud flows, also known as cold lava is now flowing down the slopes of the mountain.
As revealed by local authority spokesperson, I Wayan Gede Ardana, “The ash released by Mount Agung was hit by rainwater and has now become mud in the Yeh Sah River,” emphasising the danger of the flows due to the rainy season in Bali. Volcanic material within the flows have also been taken in for further investigation and the results are to be revealed later.
Ini adalah permulaan dari banjir lahar hujan. Material piroklastik erupsi Gunung Agung akan terus bertambah. Hujan akan meningkat selama musim penghujan. Jangan melakukan aktivitas di sekitar sungai. via @Sutopo_BNPB #Bali #ElshintaNewsAndTalk pic.twitter.com/Rwg6l5u70f
— Radio Elshinta (@RadioElshinta) November 27, 2017
Authorities at the Ngurah Rai International Airport reveals that cancellation of flights continue to intensify over the weekend by airlines like Cathay Cathay Pacific Airways, Jetstar, AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia and more. No confirmed number of passengers and tourists affected has been announced, but it is estimated to affect over 400 flights and 59,000 passengers.
#Bali airport closed, not going anywhere today pic.twitter.com/GVPJXAJDLF
— John Dean (@JohnDean) November 27, 2017
Bali airport chaos, closed till tomorrow at least due to erupting Mount Agung #bali #Mt Agung #airport #chaos #stranded #indonesia #volcano #eruption #bandara #Denpassar pic.twitter.com/mUAzPUqKvJ
— Peter Bannan (@PeterBannan) November 27, 2017
#bali pic.twitter.com/PrruqO5NPh
— Adam Harvey (@adharves) November 27, 2017
Many are still not aware of the cancellation of flights as pictures flowing around social media shows impatient crowds of tourists cramping at the airport. Indonesian officials are now urging travellers to and from the popular holiday island to contact their airline or travel agent for the status of their flight.
However, the conditions remain optimistic as Geological agency head, Kasbani estimates, “We don’t expect a big eruption but we have to stay alert and anticipate,” following the reassurance of Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency, saying in a statement, “Tourism in Bali is still safe, except in the danger (zone) around Mount Agung.”
Before the recent slew of eruptions of Mount Agung, the 3,000 metres high volcano that is located at the east of Bali last erupted in 1963, razing several villages in the area, as well as over 1,000 victims. For more updates, visit the official Twitter account of Indonesia’s Disaster Mitigation Agency. Stay safe, guys!
