Indonesia's Bali volcano spews thick smoke, ashes

JAKARTA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Bali volcano of Mount Agung spewed thick smoke and ashes billowing 2.5 kilometer into the air on Sunday morning, following similar event that occurred on Saturday at almost the same time.

The Sunday's eruption took place at 10:05 a.m. local time, emitting grayish thick smoke with wind detected heading for northeast, Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said.

"The eruption lasted for 10 minutes. White smoke was seen came out from the volcano summit after the blast," BNPB Spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement on Sunday.

He added that volcanic activities in the volcano remained intense at present.

Indonesian authorities imposed highest alert status on the volcano which took into effect since Nov. 27.

Sutopo pointed out that no significant impact has occurred in the last two consecutive days.

"Daily activities were normal in Bali, people remained calm. They currently have enough knowledge on impacts from the volcano's eruption," Sutopo added.

The top alert status was only applied within 8 to 10 kilometers from the volcano summit. People were told to refrain from conducting any activities around those areas.

"Outside those areas were still normal and safe," he said.

The eruption which occurred on Saturday on 11:57 a.m. had prompted rain of ashes in villages located in the slope of the volcano.

Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Saturday that the eruption would not affect the airports in Bali and nearby island of Lombok as the wind was heading for the east.

The ministry did not issue Notam (Notice to Airmen) related to the latest volcano eruption. The Notam notification contains information related to flight sustainability in emergency situation.

Volcanic activities of Mount Agung have been ensuing since September after 54 years of inactivity. The volcanic event has severely battered Bali's tourism since then. Enditem