Indonesia's Mount Agung Erupts, Blanketing Region in Ash

Eruption Prompts Airport Closures, Flight Cancellations

Ash Plume Rises 9 Kilometers into the Sky

Mount Agung, a volcano located in Indonesia's Karangasem Regency on the island of Bali, erupted on Monday, July 24, 2023, spewing a massive ash plume 9 kilometers into the sky. The eruption has forced the closure of the nearby Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali, and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The eruption began at approximately 3:30 am local time, sending a plume of ash and smoke into the atmosphere. The ash cloud has spread across the region, affecting areas as far as Lombok and Java. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has raised the volcano's alert level to the highest, Level 4, and has ordered the evacuation of residents within a 10-kilometer radius of the volcano.

The eruption has caused significant disruption to air travel in the region. Ngurah Rai International Airport, one of Indonesia's busiest airports, has been closed since Monday morning. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, stranding thousands of passengers. The airport is expected to remain closed until the ash cloud has dissipated.

The eruption has also raised concerns about the potential for further volcanic activity. Mount Agung has a history of eruptions, including a major eruption in 1963 that killed more than 1,000 people. The BNPB is closely monitoring the volcano's activity and has advised residents to be prepared for further evacuations.