Alert, Meteorology Predicts Sinabung Eruption To Malaysia

Farmers harvest potatoes against the backdrop of Mount Sinabung spitting volcanic material in Karo, North Sumatra, Monday, August 10 (Photo: Sastrawan Ginting / Antara)

JAKARTA - The Malaysian Meteorological Office of the Ministry of Environment and Water predicts that the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra on Monday, August 10, at 11:37 a.m. local time, will reach Malaysian air space.

"The volcanic ash smoke is expected to enter the airspace of the country in the north of the Malacca Strait and countries in the north and east of Peninsular Malaysia," he said.

The states (countries) affected were Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

They estimate the mountain dust fumes will enter Malaysia Monday night and impact flight operations at a distance of 1,500 to 5,000 meters.

The press release stated that based on the hysplit trajectory model from the Malaysian Meteorological Office and the forecast of the Darwin Australia Regional Volcano Dust Warning Center (VAAC), the public should not be confused because it will not affect air quality in Malaysia.

They said no impact from the earthquake and tsunami was predicted to hit Malaysia due to the volcanic eruption.

The current state of the Air Pollution Index (IPU) indicates typical air quality.

They appealed to the public to always be aware of the information released by the Malaysian Meteorological Office through the official website, myCuaca app and social media.