Indonesia on February 19 raised flight warnings around the Mount Sinabung volcano on Sumatra island to their highest level. (Photo: Reuters)Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesiaon February 19 raised flight warnings around the Mount Sinabung volcano onSumatra island to their highest level after it sent a towering plume of ashmore than 7 kilometres into the air, its biggest eruption this year.
The Bureau of Meteorology'sVolcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VACC), in Australia's northern city of Darwin,issued maps showing an ash cloud heading in three directions from Sinabung, tothe north, northwest and south-southeast.
Indonesian authorities alsoupgraded its Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) to red, its highestwarning, and said the ash-cloud top had reached 7,276 metres.
Sinabung is about 75 km southwestof Kualanamu International Airport in Medan.
Nur Isnin Istianto, head of theregional airport authority, said Kutacane airport in Aceh province had beenclosed, but the wind direction allowed Kualanamu, Meulaboh and Silangitairports to remain open.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, aspokesman for Indonesia's Disaster Agency, said the eruption began on February19 morning, accompanied by multiple earthquakes and showering surroundingvillages with small rocks.
In five districts it became darkwith a visibility of about 5 metres, he said.
No casualties were reported, butthe agency urged the public to stay out of a 7-km exclusion zone around thecrater, and watch for further warnings, which could cover floods.
Areas around the crater of thevolcano, located about 1,900 km northwest of the capital of Jakarta have been off-limitsfor several years because of frequent volcanic activity.-VNA
VNA
