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Bali Braced For Eruption at Mt. Agung
23 September 2017 | Written by Chris Alexander

23:35 Bali, Friday, 22 September 2017

Following increased seismic activity, the threat level at Mt. Agung in Bali has been raised for a third time this week. The alert is now at the maximum level (4), which indicates that an eruption is expected.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Department (BNPB), along with the Department of Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics confirmed the upgrade just moments ago, citing a “tremendous increase” in seismic activity at the volcano over the past few days.

The safety cordon surrounding the mountain has been expanded to 9km (6 miles) of the crater, with no one permitted to go within 7.5 miles to the north, northeast, southeast or south/southwest of the mountain.

“Volcanic activity remains high and there are indications of magma rising to the surface and causing tremors,” said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, who is a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (NDMA) in Indonesia. “There should be zero public activity within the specified radius in case there is an eruption,” he continued.

Although (at the time of writing) there has not yet been an eruption, many locals in the Karangasem area have left their homes as a precaution. Evacuations of the immediate area have proceeded calmly and smoothly. Flights to and from Bali are as yet unaffected by the volcano, and visitors to the island are being supported in management of their travel plans.

We will continue to provide updates and new developments as and when they happen.