Luhut assures holiday makers Bali is safe from angry volcano

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has sought to assure holiday makers that they are safe from the wrath of Mount Agung.

Based on the report of volcanologists , it is still necessary to be on the alert of possible more eruption of the volcano, but only for those in area within the radius of 10 kilometer of the angry volcano, Luhut said here on Friday.

"Beyond that it is safe," he said after a coordinating meeting on developments in Bali between related ministries and agencies under the coordinating ministry.

The meeting was attended by Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Office Dwikorita Karnawati, Head of the Geology and Ground Water Center Rudy Suhendar and Deputy for Tourism Industry of the Tourism Ministry Dadang Rizki Ratman.

Luhut said the direction of the wind blow is predicted to the east that the volcanic ashes would not cause problem for aviation around the Ngurah Rai International Airport of Denpasar.

"In case of any minor change , there would be notice to airmen (Notam)," he said.

Luhut, therefore, do not necessary cancel their plans for holidaying in Bali as long as they have no intention of entering the areas within the radius of 10 kilometers from the volcano.

Similarly, there is no need to change plans to hold conferences in Bali, he said.

He guarantees that the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank would be held in Bali as scheduled in October, 2018.

"There is no reason for changing the venue under the present condition," he said.

Bali, the world`s famous tourist island , has suffered potential losses in tourist income with the number of foreign tourists dropping sharply after the repeated eruptions of the volcano sending hot lava and ashes to the sky disrupting flight schedules

Source: ANTARA