27 Nov 2017 | 01:05 PM UTC
Indonesia: Bali eruptions lead to airport closures, evacuations Nov. 27 /update 14
Mount Agung eruptions prompt closure of Bali airport, stranding travelers, and evacuations around volcano November 27; abide by all instructions issued by local authorities
Event
Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) raised the volcano alert level for Bali's Mount Agung from 3 to 4 - the highest level - on Monday, November 27, at 06:00 (local time), due to the risk of a large eruption in the coming days. The BNPB also reported that Bali's Denpasar-Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) will be closed until at least 07:00 on Tuesday, November 28; at least 445 flights have been affected, stranding roughly 60,000 travelers.
Lombok International Airport (LOP) - which closed on Sunday due to the volcanic eruptions – reopened at 06:00 on Monday. LOP is expected to operate 104 flights on Monday, including 27 flights that were initially scheduled for Sunday.
Additionally, BNPB officials have urged individuals within the 10 km (6.2 mi) exclusion zone around the volcano to evacuate the area as a precaution. Over 150,000 people have already been evacuated from the area.
The Mount Agung volcano has entered a magmatic eruption phase. Volcanic ash has reportedly covered roads and buildings in the northeast of Bali. Intensified volcanic eruptions are expected in the coming days, as well as transportation disruptions in affected areas.
Context
Bali's Mount Agung volcano previously erupted for the second time in a week at 17:30 (local time) on Saturday. On Sunday, the volcano's continued eruptions reportedly prompted Indonesian authorities to raise its flight alert level from orange to red (the highest level), as the volcano spewed a plume of ash more than 6000 m (19,700 ft) into the air.
The BNPB initially reported on November 21 that Mount Agung had entered an eruptive phase. A state of emergency has been in effect since September 19. 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.
