Asia-Pacific

Indonesia's volcano re-erupts, threatens flight

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-30 10:22

JAKARTA - Volcano in Sumatra Island of Indonesia erupted again on Monday morning, spewing smokes up to over 2,000 meters high, potential to disturb international flight, Volcanology Agency and Meteorology Agency said.

Villagers load their buffalos on to a truck as they prepare to leave their village after the Mount Sinabung volcano (in the background) erupted, in the district of Tanah Karo outside the city of Medan, North Sumatra August 29, 2010. [Agencies]

Mount Sinabang in North Sumatra province re-erupted at 06:30 am Jakarta time Monday (2330 GMT Sunday), head of the Investigation Unit of the volcanology agency Muhammad Hendratno told Xinhua over phone from West Java province.

Spokesman of Transport Ministry Bambang Ervan said that the eruption is potential to disturb aviation.

"It will depend on the direction of wind blow. Should it direct to the north, it will hamper international flight, and if the wind blow direct to the east, it will disturb domestic flight," he told Xinhua.

Related readings:  1 killed in volcano eruption in Indonesia  Indonesia on red alert after volcano erupts

Most of international flights to the main airport in the province and other airports in the island come from north, said Ervan.

Official of the information meteorology at the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Agie Wandala said that the wind direction at this time is toward the north.

"The direction of wind blow at this period is toward the north, "he said.

Spokesman of the transport ministry said that the flight must be canceled.

Mount Sinabung first erupted earlier Sunday, the first time after 400 years, forcing over 11,000 people to escape their homes.

Mount Sinabung volcano spews smoke as seen from Bekerah village in the district of Tanah Karo in Indonesia's North Sumatra province, Aug 30, 2010. The Indonesian volcano that erupted for the first time in centuries on Sunday spewed fresh plumes of smoke early on Monday morning, causing panic in nearby villages and delaying local flights, officials said on Monday. [Agencies]