JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 27 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesian authorities issued a flight alert notice, following eruption of Tangkuban Perahu volcano, in the West Java province on Friday afternoon.
The orange Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) alert, issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Geological Agency, indicates that volcanic ash particles are still lingering 1,000 feet above the volcano crater.
“This level (of situation) may risk flights. The VONA alert also shows that volcanic ash clouds are heading to the south and north-east directions,” Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Spokesman, Agus Wibowo, said in a statement.
Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), continues evaluating impacts of eruption in the volcano, whose alert is still set at normal grade of Level I at present, Agus said.
PVMBG said, rain of volcanic ashes has affected one to two kilometres of areas around the volcano’s craters.
Administrator of West Bandung regency, has closed down the province’s popular destination for safety reason.
Located 161 kilometres south-east from Jakarta, the Tangkuban Perahu volcano, that stands 2,284 metres above sea level, is a popular destinations for foreign and domestic tourists.
The eruption that occurred at 15:48 Jakarta time, has prompted local authorities to evacuate tourists from the volcano craters. The eruption spewed greyish volcanic ashes 200 metres high into the air.
PVMBG said, low intensity of ground tremors were also felt during the eruption, that lasted for five minutes and 30 seconds.– NNN-ANTARA
