"We have called on the local residents to prevent them from being affected by the volcanic ashes for their health," the agency's head, I Made Rentin, said in response to Mt Agung's eruption that again occurred on early Sunday at 03.21 a.m. local time.
Rentin said he has also talked to the authorities of state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura (AP) I about this latest eruption and its impact on the Ngurah Rai International Airport's flight activities.
He said the latest eruption of Mount Agung in Karangasem District that occurred on early Sunday reached around 2,000 meters in height and lasted about two minutes and 55 seconds.
The eruption did not cause fatalities but several areas of subdistricts in Karangasem District got affected by the volcanic ashes, such as Bukit Galah, Sebun, Telung Bhuana, Badeg Tengah, Badeg Dukuh, Perang Sari, Geriana Kauh, Tegeh Amertha Bhuana, Pura Pasar Agung Sebudi, and Br. Pura Sebudi in Selat Subdistrict.
The volcanic ashes also affected those living in Bebandem Subdistrict areas, including the villages of Nangka, Bukit Paon, Butus, Yeh Kori Jungutan, and Sibetan, he said, adding that the local residents need to wear face masks while doing outdoor activities.
Mount Agung has repeatedly erupted. On April 4, 2019, for instance, this volcano also erupted, sending a nearly two thousand-meter-high flume of thick ash into the air from its peak, which is some 5,142 meters above sea level.
The seismogram recorded that the eruption lasted for three minutes and 37 seconds and had a maximum amplitude of 22 mm. The eruption could be audible from the Rendang volcano observation post in Karangasem.
The office has handed out face masks to the visitors at the Besakih Hindu temple.
The authorities have maintained the volcano's alert status at level three and declared a danger zone within a four-kilometer radius of the crater.
Those residing along the river banks around the volcano have also been urged to maintain vigil in case of possible secondary danger arising from lava rains.
Translator: Ni Luh R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
