U.S. issues travel alert for Indonesia due to Mount Merapi's ongoing eruption

U.S. issues travel alert for Indonesia due to Mount Merapi's ongoing eruption

2010-11-11 05:32:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. State Department on Wednesday issued a travel alert for Indonesia due to the oingoing eruption of Mount Merapi in central Java, cautioning Americans about travel to the nation.

Mount Merapi first erupted on October 26 but later eruptions caused most casualties, damages, and disruptions. On Wednesday, Indonesian officials rose the death toll to 191 as international airlines again canceled and postponed routes to and from the region.

"The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to possible travel disruptions within and around Indonesia due to the ongoing eruption of Mount Merapi," the travel alert said. "The eruption has already caused cancellations of some flights to/from Jakarta and at other Indonesian airports closer to Mount Merapi, including nearby Yogyakarta."

The U.S. government said it urged Americans in Indonesia or traveling through the region to make contingency plans, carry extra funds, purchase travel insurance, and closely monitor both the news and air carrier announcement. "U.S. citizens should stay away from Mount Merapi," it urged. "We remind Americans that emergency response capabilities in Indonesia are limited and U.S. citizens there need to be self reliant."

On Wednesday, Merapi's latest eruption spewed out ash 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) into the air, sending thick hot ash clouds down its mountain slopes.

"Compared to the activity on November 3-6, the volcano's eruption intensity is declining, but activity is still high," said Surono, head of the Center of Vulcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation. "Merapi's alert status is still at top level, and the danger zones are maintained at a radius of 20 kilometers (12 miles)," Surono added, urging evacuees to remain at the temporary shelters and follow directions from local authorities.

In addition, several international airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Value Air, Qantas and Malaysia Air, have canceled flights due to air safety. However, several other companies such as Singapore Airlines continue with their regular operations.

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