Bali`s Mt. Agung Alert Status Raised, Govt Sets 7 Backup Airports
23 September 2017 18:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Pemalang - The government is preparing seven alternative airports to divert flights heading to Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. This is an anticipative measure following the increased alert status of Mount Agung in Karangasem, Bali, to level IV.
Transportaion Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the airports are located in Surabaya, Banyuwangi, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Balikpapan, Ujungpandang, and Semarang. The alternative airports will be used if the Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is totally dysfunctional.
Read: Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport Unaffected by Mount Agung Activities
"Let’s pray everything will be alright and Bali as a tour destination will continue its activities [as usual]," he said during his visit to Pemalang, Central Java, Saturday, Sept. 23.
Minister Budi Karya revealed that until today, the increased alert status of Mount Agung did not affect the flight schedule heading to or from Bali. "We have set the plans to evacuate the passengers," he added.
Read: Bali Safe for Tourist Despite Mount Agung's Increased Actvity
The official at the Energy Ministry’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) Kasbani explained the alert status of Bali’s Mount Agung was increased to level IV since Friday night, Sept. 22 at 08:30 Central Indonesia Time.
Due to the increased alert level, the official has also increased the radius of the prone-disaster area from 6 kilometers to 9 kilometers. “Added with a 7.5 kilometers sectoral to 12 kilometers," he said.
MUHAMMAD IRSYAM FAIZ