Indonesia: Mount Agung eruption believed imminent as of Oct. 2 /update 6

Event

Bali’s Mount Agung volcano continues to show elevated activity as of October 2, with large amounts of steam and more than 700 associated tremors reported per day, leading authorities to warn of a possibly imminent eruption. On October 2, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) warned that if the frequency of tremors continues to increase at their current rate, an eruption could follow in a matter of hours.

Approximately 144,000 people had been evacuated from the exclusion zone that stretches 12-km (7.5-mi) around the crater as of Friday, September 29, in anticipation of a major eruption.

Bali's main tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak, located some 70 km (45 mi) from Mount Agung, are currently unaffected and should remain so even if an eruption does occur, as the possible paths of lava and mudflows are predicted to run only a little further than the 12-km exclusion zone.

Context

Indonesian authorities have been on standby since September 27 to potentially divert flights bound for Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in the event of an eruption. Australian and Singaporean airlines are also monitoring the situation and preparing for possible disruptions. Inbound and outbound flights at DPS are currently operating as normal.

The BNPB raised the alert warning to the highest level on September 22 and set up the 12-km (7.5-mi) exclusion zone around the crater.

Mount Agung's last major eruption occurred in 1963 and resulted in the deaths of around 1500 people.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor the situation and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). Potentially impacted travelers are advised to confirm flight reservations.