Bali Volcano Update (The Mount Agung Eruption 2018)

Author, Ekarini

More info about Bali:Bali Travel Info

Current view from my friend's house in Karangasem Bali

Photo: Ni Ketut Sudiasih

Mount  Agung’s volcanic activities drawn so much attention internationally.  This is an international phenomenon.  So many wrong press media from around the world, making their headlines about mount Agung as the main topic in their own story.  It is not based on what the real thing happens in Bali.   This wrong information was read by many people around the world, causing fears for tourists who wish to visit Bali.  The fake news hurt Bali and tourism industry in Bali.  So many speculators try to profit from the fake news if we don’t pay attention and search the right information from the right sources.

Here is the truth about mount Agung: “Yes, the majestic mount Agung has erupted! But, doesn’t mean that we all Balinese are swimming in lava and grabbing oars to rush to the neighbor island.” The locals

Please be careful if you want to share the news about mount Agung eruption, and double check the source to not a hoax.

We need to set the fact straight, about the upcoming mount Agung activities with qualified data references from the National Board for Disaster Management (BPNB)

Resources:

The Balinese certainly are not too panicked with this event, they take daily activities as usual.

But people who live near the volcano have been evacuated and tourists who want to leave Bali, their flights have been canceled for safety matter (temporary).

“As you know that most of the tourist attractions such as Kuta Beach, Denpasar, Gianyar, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua are located 60-100 kilometers away from Mount Agung, which is far enough to prevent from Mount Agung’s eruption impacts.”

“There are possibilities where Mount Agung’s will not erupt significantly since the magma pipe inside the volcano has been long inactive for 50 years and causing the magma pipe to freeze again. Even if the eruption still happens, it will only produce lava in a less amount due to the decreasing seismic movements.” This statement confirms by I Gede Suantika, chief of Gunung Agung Mitigation Management.

Here are the press release updates (only in Bahasa Indonesia): https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/press/view.php?id=177

However, for precaution, The BPNB has set hazard area spanning around 9-12 kilometers radius from the Mount Agung’s location. Local governments have also made numerous efforts to evacuate nearby villages around the mountain area for better safety.

As long as the residents and tourists are outside of the hazard zone, they will remain safe. The detailed map below shows the lava distribution around Mount Agung area. Picture below:

The Ngurah Rai International airport is still open and operates normally.

Oh well, This is the Mother Nature majestic work, I hope for those people  have been affected will find a solution quickly.

Thank you for your understanding and prayers.