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Mount Ruang’s eruptions in Indonesia disrupt flights and prompt evacuations. Malaysia Airlines adjusts schedules in response to ongoing volcanic activity.
Mount Ruang, a 725-meter volcano located on Ruang Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has unleashed a series of eruptions since mid-April, culminating in renewed chaos yesterday. The eruptions, characterized by billowing smoke, lava flows, and volcanic gases, have not only triggered evacuation orders for nearby residents but have also wreaked havoc on air travel in the region.
On Tuesday alone, Mount Ruang erupted three times, spewing lava and ash clouds into the atmosphere. The severity of the situation prompted Indonesia’s national PVMBG volcanology agency to issue its highest alert, warning of the potential for a tsunami resulting from “volcanic material collapsing into the ocean.”
As a consequence, flight operations were severely impacted, with numerous cancellations reported. The closures extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcano, with airports such as the prominent Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado forced to shut down. The disruption rippled through the region, causing travel chaos and leaving passengers stranded amidst the unfolding crisis.
Authorities swiftly responded, calling for the evacuation of over 12,000 people from Tagulandang island, where Ruang lies just offshore. Dramatic footage released by the National Disaster Management Authority captured the urgency as crowds gathered at ports, seeking evacuation amidst towering ash plumes.
As the volcanic activity escalated, at least seven airports in the vicinity, including the prominent Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, were forced to shut down. Airports farther afield, such as Djalaludin Airport in Gorontalo, also fell victim to closures due to volcanic ash dispersal.
Malaysia Airlines has announced its decision to reinstate certain flights, retimed others, and cancel several flights today in response to the ongoing volcanic activity at Mount Ruang. The reinstated flights include MH2660D (KUL-TWU), initially designated as MH2660, and MH2661D (TWU-KUL), originally MH2661.
Additionally, flights to and from Labuan on the same date will be retimed, including MH2608 (KUL-LBU) and MH2609 (LBU-KUL).
The impact on air travel was profound. Regional carriers like Air Asia were compelled to cancel 21 flights, while Malaysia Airlines, responding to the volatile situation, issued travel advisories and canceled several flights in the affected area. Even flights originating from Changi Airport in Singapore were not spared, with three cancellations on May 1 attributed to the volcanic activity of Mount Ruang.
However, Malaysia Airlines also noted that certain flights remain cancelled until further notice, with updates to be provided periodically and communicated directly to affected customers.
Mount Ruang’s recent eruptions echo its disruptive behavior in April, when over 200 flights were disrupted, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. The fear of a partial collapse into the sea, potentially triggering a tsunami, loomed large, reminiscent of the volcano’s destructive history in 1871.
Indonesia, situated along the volatile Ring of Fire, is no stranger to volcanic activity, boasting more than 120 active volcanoes. Mount Ruang’s eruptions serve as a stark reminder of the constant threat posed by nature’s fury, disrupting lives and travel plans alike in this island nation of 270 million people.
The post Can Indonesia Overcome The Flight Cancellations And Stranded Travelers Challenge? appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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