Mount Kerinci Spews Ash, Tnks Closes Climbing Routes Temporarily

Jambi - Mount Kerinci in Jambi province spewed thick ash on Wednesday, prompting the management of Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) to close climbing routes temporarily.

The volcano began shooting thick ash into the sky at 6:20 a.m. local time, spokesperson for the Mount Kerinci Monitoring Team, S. Mamory, said.

Black ash from the eruption could still be seen as of Wednesday evening.

The TNKS management closed climbing routes after the volcano spewed thick ash.

However, the alert status for Mount Kerinci remained at Level 2.

"It (thick ash) frequently happens, but its frequency is long," he said.

Sub-coordinator of the Mount Kerinci Observatory and Investigation Post, Ahmad Basuki, advised local residents and visitors to not go within a three-kilometer radius of the crater.

"We also advise the public to wear masks for fear that the ash will disturb them," he added.

Based on the results of monitoring, the ash moved in a northwesterly direction, he said.

He also advised airplanes to avoid flying near the volcano since it could erupt anytime.

Acting chief of the Kerinci District Disaster Mitigation Office (BPBD), Darifus, said his office received a report of the volcano emitting thick black ash from the officer posted at the Mount Kerinci observatory post. 

"It is true that our call for the public aligns with the report from the Mount Kerinci observatory post," he said.

The volcano will be off-limits to climbers as of Wednesday, spokesperson for the TNKS Office, Erik Rico Ferdian, said.

Local residents have been allowed to carry out activities as usual although the volcano has shown signs of increasing activity.

Oleh : Tuyani, Suharto

Editor : Yakop