ERUPTION ‘IMMINENT’
Authorities urge 100,000 to evacuate as Mount Agung spews cold lava
JAKARTA
DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERS, Miss Universe 2017 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials said after raising the alert to its highest level.
The exclusion zone around Mount Agung, which is 75km from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10km.
“Continuous ash puffs are sometimes accompanied by explosive eruptions and a weak booming sound,” the National Board for Disaster Management said.
“Rays of fire are increasingly observed at night. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent.”
Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late last month and many returned to their homes.
However, on Saturday, the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption — caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater.
Yesterday, so-called cold lava flows appeared — similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava seen in many volcanic eruptions.
“I’m very concerned because I left my house behind and I’m also worried about family,” said farmer Putu Suyasa, 36, who fled with some of his relatives from a village 8km from the volcano.
The airport in Bali’s capital, Denpasar, has been closed, a move expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers.
Many were told that even in the best scenario it would be several days before they could leave.
The Australian government put out a travel advisory on Sunday instructing travellers to exercise a high degree of caution.
“Volcanic activity may escalate with little or no notice,” it said.
“Past eruptions of Mount Agung have shown this volcano’s potential to cause significant impacts... including the potential for widespread ash fall outside the declared danger area.” AFP