REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that flights in West Sumatra Province are operating normally despite Mount Marapi's eruption at 7:03 a.m. local time, Wednesday. The Minangkabau Geophysics Agency has yet to receive reports on flight disruptions, (after the eruption), Budi Samiadji, the head of information and observation, noted during a phone call in Padang on Wednesday.

According to the Mount Marapi Observatory Post, the smoke column rose four thousand meters from the crater.

However, Samiadji noted that the eruption has not yet affected the climate and other atmospheric conditions in the province.

Also read: Earthquake in Mount Marapi remains low after eruption

Following the eruption, the Minangkabau Climatology Office has issued an early warning notice on Wednesday (May 2) on the mid- to high-intensity rains during night time in Mentawai Islands, West Pasaman District, Limapuluh Kota District, Agam District, and Padang Pariaman District.

The office has also forecast that winds at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour in the province will move in the northeast direction.

On a separate occasion, Hartanto, the volcano observatory official, remarked that during the eruption, Mount Marapi had spewed thick grey volcanic ash and resulted in a quake, with an amplitude of 10 millimeters, that lasted for 485 seconds.

Despite the blast, Mount Marapi remains on alert level II since August 2011.

Hence, all residents and climbers are not allowed to conduct any activities within a three-kilometer radius of the crater.

The authority has also called on the people to stay abreast of the updates and other information on Mount Marapi's eruption.

Before erupting on May 2, Mount Marapi had spewed some volcanic ash on Apr 27.

The volcano had also erupted twice last year.

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