SINGAPORE — Singaporeans have been advised to defer non-essential travel to areas near the Mount Agung volcano in Bali, as the Indonesian authorities raised the alert for a possible eruption to the highest level.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a travel advisory on Saturday (Sept 23): "Singaporeans currently in Bali should monitor these developments closely and avoid Mount Agung and its vicinity.

"They are advised to take all necessary precautions for their personal safety, monitor the local news closely and heed the instructions of the local authorities, such as to be ready to evacuate at short notice. They should also purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance and be familiar with the terms and coverage."

MFA also urged Singaporeans to eRegister at its portal so that the ministry can contact them should the need arises. 

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency said no residents or tourists should be within 9km of the crater and within 12km to the north, northeast, southeast and south-southwest.

The 3,031m Agung, 72km to the northeast of the tourist hotspot of Kuta, last erupted in 1963, killing about 1,100 people and hurling ash as high as 10km.

More than 11,000 villagers have left their homes around the mountain, officials said on Friday when the alert was raised for the third time in little more than a week.

The Department of Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics said there has been a "tremendous increase" in the mountain's seismic activity, indicating a greater probability of an eruption, though it couldn't give a timeframe.

Mr Waskita Sutadewa, spokesman for the disaster mitigation agency in Karangasem district around Mount Agung, said nearly 11,300 villagers have been officially evacuated. He said the real number of displaced might be two or three times that, since many have voluntarily fled their houses.

The agency says evacuees are staying in temporary shelters, sports centers, village halls and with relatives.

More than 7,000 of the evacuees were in the 840 square kilometre Karangasem district, which is home to about 408,000 people. 

Agung is among more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. WITH AGENCIES

Those in need of urgent consular assistance may contact the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at:

Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Indonesia (Jakarta) 
Jln H R Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Block X/4, KAV No 2,
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950  
Tel: + 62 (21) 2995 0400 or +62 811 863 348 (24-hours)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hours)
Tanglin, Singapore 248163
Tel: 6379 8800, 6379 8855
Email: mfa_duty_officer [at] mfa.gov.sg