Indonesia's volcano re-erupts, threatens international aviation

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.


Mount Sinabung volcano spews smoke in the district of Tanah Karo outside the city of Medan, North Sumatra August 28, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Mount Sinabang in North Sumatra province re-erupted at 06:30 a. m. 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.

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.

Source: Xinhua