31 May 2019 | 10:30 PM UTC
Indonesia: Mount Agung (Bali) erupts May 31
Mount Agung in Bali erupts on May 31, releases ash cloud; no flight disruptions reported
Event
Mount Agung in Bali erupted on Friday, May 31, at approximately 12:00 (local time), spewing a cloud of ash approximately 2000 m (6500 ft) high. The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) issued a Level III alert of four categories and an exclusion zone of 4 km (2.5 mi) from the crater remains in effect. No significant flight disruptions were reported at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar as of Friday evening. Further eruptions are likely in the coming days and weeks and flight disruptions cannot be ruled out in the event of a larger eruption.
Context
Agung is an active volcano on eastern Bali and eruptions have been ongoing since 2017. PVMBG has placed Mount Agung at level III ("Standby," the second-highest volcanic alert level on a four-tier scale), warning individuals to avoid traveling within a 4-km (2.5-mi) radius of the volcano crater. A ban on hiking at the volcano has been in effect since 2017.
Mount Agung last erupted on May 24, causing overnight flight delays and cancelations at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).
Advice
Individuals in or traveling to Bali are advised to monitor the situation and anticipate flight diversions and disruptions in the event of a major eruption.
