TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Kasbani, head of Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said that Bali volcano Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) alert level has been raised to level III as of Monday 9 pm Central Indonesia Time.
“Previously, no activities are allowed within 3 kilometers from the summit, it’s now 6 kilometers. And by sectors, in the valleys previously passed by hot clouds as far as 7.5 kilometers to the south-south west, to the north and southeast,” he told Tempo when asked about Gunung Agung.
Kasbani said that the alert level was raised due to high seismic activity and earthquake swarm, adding that the Himawari (Japan) satellite has spotted steam coming from the summit, indicating a temperature anomaly.
Moreover, a 3-magnitude earthquake was felt at 7 pm local time.
The official said that people that live near Gunung Agung have been asked to move to shelters.
The last time Gunung Agung erupted was on February 18, 1963, and lasted until 27 January 1964. The type was magmatic eruption. Some 1,148 people were killed and 296 injured.
AHMAD FIKRI
