Be Safe! Safety Tips for Mount Agung

You’ve only stayed for a while in Bali when the media begin spreading the news that Mount Agung is, probably, about to erupt. But despite the fact that nobody knows whether it’s really gonna explode or not, some travelers have already panicked. They start packing their belongings. The girl staying next to your room has already booked a plane ticket back home.

Now, as you are the only guest left at the hotel, you start wondering, “Do I have to go back too?” No, you don’t. Look up at the beaches; there are a lot of fellow travelers who are still nonchalantly paddling their way through the waves or walking through the beautiful temples seeking for inner peace. The wind is still breezing, the coconut trees swaying.

Staying in Bali during the occurrence of this natural phenomenon is gonna be once in a lifetime experience. “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher,” said William Wordsworth. The last time Mt. Agung erupted was in 1963 and you never know when you’re gonna be in the similar situation in the future. Believe me, you’re gonna have a lot of things to share. Now, all you have to do is anticipating the eruption. Here are 7 tips to stay cool while anticipating the eruption of Mount Agung:

Don’t panic, you won’t be cool if you’re panic


There is no better time to stay cool other than when you are anticipating an event like a volcanic eruption. Staying cool will help you survive because you will be able to think rationally. For those who don’t know, most parts of Bali are still safe, just avoid East Bali area only (radius 12 km from Mount). Disaster mitigation officials and a network of sirens are on standby near the Mountain’s foothills to immediately advise the public and provide assistance if there is any sudden change in the alert status of the volcano. Immigration officer giving services. They have a special counter to handle the immigration. So for those who are overstay and wants to exit other then Ngurah Rai will be assisted. Think clearly, read the situation, and plan your next acts.

Pay attention to reliable media only

Do not believe everything shared on social media, particularly those coming from unreliable source. Conversely, avoid sharing unverified information which is potentially going to make public panic, especially when you haven’t read the information yourself. If you want to get updated, pay attention the reliable media only, such as reputable newspaper—online or offline, television, or radio.

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Contact your airline provider 

Due to the eruption of Mt. Agung, Ngurah Rai Int Airport, Bali (DPS) is temporarily closed from 27 November 07.00 (GMT +8) until 28 November 07.00 (GMT +8). For those with upcoming flights, be sure to contact your airline for updates. Airnav Indonesia continues to monitor developments at Mount Agung and is maintaining a full complement of qualified experts to oversee the quality of the airspace over the Island using “paper tests” in coordination with the Indonesian Weather Bureau (BMKG), the Center for Geologic Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (DVAAC), and observations posts surrounding the volcano.

In case you need it, here’s some of airlines Bali office contact number:
Bali Internaional Airport Ngurah Rai: +62 361 75 10 11
Air Asia: +62 804 1333 333
Air France: +62-361-289225
Air New Zeal;and: +62-361-756-170
Bali Qantas Airways: +62-361-289281
AWAIR: +62-361-750-666
Batavia Air: +62-361-751-011
British Airways: +62-361-288511
Cathay Pasific Airways: +62-361-286001
China Airlines: +62-361-754856
Continental Airlines: +62-361-287-775
Eva Air: +62-361-756-448
Garuda Indonesia: +62-361-283-354
JAL : +62-361-287-577
Lion Air: 0361-9351-011
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: +62-361-753-950
Lufthansa: +62-361-287-069
Malaysia Airlines: +62-361-288-716
Thai Airways International: +62-361-288-141
Singapore Airlines: +62-361-768-383

Always bring a pack of mask and sunglasses with you—and wear it

Inhaled, the tiny, glassy pyroclastic materials of the volcanic eruption will affect your respiratory system. To avoid such problem, always bring a pack of masks with you. And don’t forget to wear it because it wouldn’t help much if only stayed in your bag. Never hesitate to share spare masks to people who still haven’t got one. Sunglasses will be useful too as the volcanic ash may reach your eyes.

 

Do not ride recklessly, because the road might be slippery

Since the pyroclastic materials of the volcano are fine-grained, the road covered by them will be slippery. (And no one will bother to put “the road is slippery” sign.) It’s gonna be like you are riding or driving on a wet dirt road. Besides, the rainy season has come. The volcanic ash showered by the rain will be way more slippery. Therefore it is advisable for you to lose your accelerator a little bit and drive slowly.

 

 

Make Sure to close the door!

If you are not evacuating, close windows and doors and block chimneys and other vents, to prevent ash from coming into the house.

Get binoculars because you’re gonna see a rare, beautiful event

Ironically, disastrous events such as volcanic eruption are also beautiful. In order to be able to see it clearly, get binoculars. Who knows that when the eruption actually happens you are in a strategic place where you can see the magnificent view of an erupting volcano.

So stay cool, all right?

Text by: Fuji Adriza