REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The National Mitigation Disaster Agency (BNPB) has yet to increase the alert status of Mount Agung despite an eruption at 6 a.m. local time on Friday, the spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho reported. The alert status of the volcano now remains at the second-highest level III, Nugroho reaffirmed here on Friday.

"A micro-tremor (due to the volcanic eruption) was detected by a seismograph, and the magma may rise up in the crater," Nugroho noted in a statement.

At Mount Agung's Observatory Post, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center reported that the volcano continued to spew ash, and the smoke column reached 2,500 meters in height.

Meanwhile, at the crater, a red glow, with a stable intensity, was visible, the spokesperson pointed out. Within the last 12 hours, the seismic amplitude has been significantly increasing. Most tremors were followed by the release of gas and volcanic ash.

"The ash rain fell over the volcano's western and southwestern regions. Most affected areas are situated in Purage, Pempatan Rendang, Keladian, Besakih, Banjar Beluhu, and Suter Village," he noted.

Also read: E Java's two airports closed due to Mt Agung eruption

On May 13, Nugroho had stated that the crater had deformed by five millimeters. The figure indicated that large amount of magma is still developing under the crater.

Following the eruption, Nugroho called on the people to remain calm and vigilant. He made assurance that the agency will maintain coordination with the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center; the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency; district and provincial disaster mitigation offices; as well as the local governments.

Volcanic ashes spewed from Mount Agung cover the Pemuteran village, Karangasem, Bali, Friday (June 29).

Earlier, Bali Search and Rescue (SAR) team has evacuated people near Mount Agung in Karangasem Regency due to seismic activity that increased since Thursday (June 28). All SAR team personnel and main equipments have been alerted.

“Previously, we have experienced this condition, so it has been anticipated,” said Denpasar SAR office head, Ketut Gede Ardana on Friday (June 29).

According to Ardana, some people who live near Mount Agung have done independent evacuation. They felt uncomfortable with the roar, smoke billowing, and red rays from the top of the mountain.

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