Fires and haze issues aside, Indonesia now also faces another problem - Mount Sinabung erupts and spews ash 3.5km above the summit

In this photo released by the Geological Agency (Badan Geologi) of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mount Sinabung releases volcanic materials into the air during an eruption in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. -- Badan Geologi via AP

JAKARTA (Bernama): Mount Sinabung in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province erupted on Monday morning, spewing a thick column of volcanic ash about 3.5 kilometres above its summit.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said the eruption began at 10.17 am local time with the thick, black ash column observed moving east and southeast.

"Residents and visitors or tourists are advised not to carry out activities in villages that have been relocated, as well as within a three-kilometre radius of Mount Sinabung’s summit and within a 4.5-kilometre sectoral radius to the south and southeast,” it said in a report published on its official website.

Mount Sinabung, located in Karo Regency, remains at Level II (Alert), while residents living near rivers originating from the volcano were advised to remain vigilant against possible volcanic mudflows.

-- BERNAMA