Latest news with #Muhari
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Indonesia begins cloud seeding to fight Riau fires as haze drifts into Malaysia
JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to begin cloud seeding operations on Monday in Riau province to combat escalating forest and land fires, which are already causing haze to drift into parts of Malaysia. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), stated that the operation will last for at least seven days, with potential extensions based on conditions on the ground. "A Cessna aircraft is scheduled to depart from Pondok Cabe Airport in Banten province on Sunday, and cloud seeding operations will be carried out on Monday using sodium chloride (NaCl) to induce rainfall over areas affected by the fires," Muhari said in a statement. Data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicated 1,208 fire hotspots across Sumatra as of Sunday, with 586 located in Riau alone. Local broadcaster Metro TV reported that haze from these fires has already reached parts of Malaysia. To further aid in the effort, BNPB will deploy a Bell 206 helicopter for aerial patrols and has repositioned a Mi-8MSB-T water bombing helicopter from Palembang to Riau. Additionally, a joint ground task force comprising disaster officials, military personnel, police, fire brigades, and volunteers will be mobilised to address the situation.– BERNAMA
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Volcanic ash blankets villages near Indonesian volcano
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Volcanic ash blankets villages near Indonesian volcano
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Volcanic ash blankets villages near Indonesian volcano
Residents are wearing masks to protect themselves from thick volcanic ash that has blanketed roads and green rice fields in Indonesia as rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts for a second straight day. The eruption at dawn on Tuesday sent lava and clouds of ash up to 4km high. That followed an eruption on Monday that sent a column of volcanic materials up to 18km into the sky and an evening burst that spewed lava and send volcanic ash as high as 13km into the air. Photos and videos circulating on social media showed terrified residents ran for their lives under the rain of ash and gravel and motorists struggled to drive motorbikes and cars in the reduced visibility as the ash clouds from Monday's eruption expanded into a mushroom shape. No casualties have been reported from the latest eruptions of the volcano that has been at the highest alert level since June 18 when its no-go zone was expanded to a 7km radius, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. "People around the volcano have increasingly understood how to minimise the impact of disaster risks as eruptions became more frequent since the end of 2023," Muhari said in a statement. The eruptions of the volcano on Flores Island affected more than 10,000 people in 10 villages in East Flores and Sikka districts, according to the local disaster management agency. Thick volcanic ash and rocks were reported to have fallen in villages of Nawakote, Klantanio, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, Pululera and Wulanggitang, where roads and green rice fields were transformed into grey thick mud and rocks. Authorities distributed 50,000 masks and urged residents to limit outdoor activities to protect themselves from volcanic materials. The eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki followed its eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens. Muhari said two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday. Dozens of flights to and from the Ngurah Rai international airport on the resort island of Bali were delayed or cancelled since Monday's eruption, including from Australian carriers Virgin Australia and Jetstar, but airport spokesperson Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said the airport was running normally as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Indonesia has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire", a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Landslide leaves at least six dead
A flood and landslide near a gold mine in remote eastern Indonesia killed at least six people and rescuers were searching for more than a dozen missing. Hours of heavy rain triggered the landslide and floods in West Papua province on Friday night, local search and rescue agency head Yefri Sabaruddin said. 'The latest data are... six people died and 14 people are still being searched for,' he said. Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency, or BNPB, said the floodwaters hit a camp used by miners. 'The floodwaters from upstream hit a temporary housing area of traditional gold miners at around 9pm, sweeping away their tents and equipment,' Muhari said yesterday. Four people were injured and had received initial treatment from locals but no other major damage had been reported. 'To date, no significant physical or material losses have been found. In addition, no residents were displaced due to this incident,' Muhari said. Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich South-East Asian archipelago, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment. There was no official indication of the mine's legal status, while Yefri said the focus for rescuers was on evacuating victims. Rescue efforts were being hindered by the remote location, with police, soldiers and civilians taking up to two hours to reach the site, including an hour on foot, Yefri said. 'The condition there is very extreme because some roads were damaged... so vehicles must be careful in crossing the area,' he said. Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April. A landslide at an illegal gold mine in West Sumatra in September killed 13 people and injured 12 others. At least 27 people were killed after a landslide near an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi last July. — AFP
