TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) officially raised the status of Mount Anak Krakatau from Alert Level II to Alert Level III (siaga III) following the intensified volcanic activities coming from the mountain since early this morning.

“The Alert Level III status is effective starting from today at 06:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB),” said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Head of Data Information and Spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Thursday, December 27.

According to Sutopo, Mount Anak Krakatau has been steadily active since last night with constant eruptions and tremors produced by the mountain.

Read also: Anak Krakatau Still Erupts, BNPB: Beware of Aftershock Tsunami

The agency has also issued a minimum danger zone distance following the raised status. The danger zone has been set from 2 kilometers to a 5-kilometer radius from the mountain’s crater which effectively bars anyone from entering the zone.

Last night’s report state that the eruption and 10 kilometer-high volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau managed to travel to areas in its vicinity such as Cilegon and Serang that are located well over 60 kilometers from the mountain.

SYAFIUL HADI