01 Dec 2017 | 06:30 AM UTC
Indonesia: Bali state of emergency extended; Lombok Airport closed /update 18
Following wind changes, Lombok International Airport (LOP) closes again on Nov. 30; Bali state of emergency extended through Dec. 10
Event
On Thursday, November 30, Bali authorities extended the state of emergency through December 10, in anticipation of a major eruption of the island’s volcano Mount Agung likely in the coming days. The highest alert level remains in place for the volcano.
Bali's Denpasar-Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) reopened at 15:00 (local time) on Wednesday, November 29, following a change in the prevailing wind that is pushing ash clouds from the eruption away from DPS airspace. Flight operations started normalizing on November 29, with more than 4500 stranded passengers flown out. Nearby Lombok International Airport (LOP), however, closed again on Thursday after ash and smoke drifted in its direction.
While the volcano appeared to be belching less ash and smoke on November 30, experts urged caution and have warned a major eruption could happen at any moment. Intensified volcanic eruptions are expected in the coming days, as well as transportation disruptions in affected areas. Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) officials have urged individuals within the 10 km (6.2 mi) exclusion zone around the volcano to evacuate the area as a precaution. At least 150,000 people have already been evacuated from the area.
Context
Bali's Mount Agung volcano has erupted several times over the past few days. On November 26, the volcano's continued eruptions 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 raised the volcano alert level for Mount Agung from 3 to 4 - the highest level - on November 27 due to the risk of a large eruption.
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.
