Officials expanded evacuation orders Monday as an Indonesian volcano continued to erupt, spewing ash nearly 10,000 feet into the atmosphere. Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was forced to close as a result of the eruptions, stranding tens of thousands of travelers. Mount Agung’s eruptions could be heard as far as 7.5 miles away. Mudflows of volcanic debris and water known as a lahar were seen rushing down the mountain in videos released by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The
organization also said lahars could continue, as it is the island’s rainy season, and warned people to stay away from rivers. The agency raised the volcano’s alert to the highest level early Monday and expanded the danger zone to 6 miles in places from the previous 4.7 miles. It said a larger eruption is possible. Spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference in Jakarta that the extension of the danger zone affects 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people. He said about 40,000 people have evacuated but others have not left because they feel safe or don’t want to abandon their livestock. READ MORE
