Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupts, spews clouds of ash

Mount Merapi volcano spews hot ash as seen from Kaliurang in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, January 27, 2021 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/ via REUTERS

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano on Java island erupted on Wednesday, sending up a cloud of ash and prompting authorities to warn of the risk of lava flows reaching roads, officials said.

The 2,963 m (9,721 ft) high Merapi is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes and is already on the country's second highest alert level.