KUALA LUMPUR: The volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung in Sumatera, Indonesia is not expected to have any effect on Malaysia yet as the winds over the country are blowing from the northwest.
However, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said the wind direction is expected to shift to southwesterly beginning tomorrow (May 23).
“If Mount Sinabung continues to erupt, the volcanic ash could reach Peninsular Malaysia after May 25 or 26,” he said in a statement today.
Six people were confirmed dead while three more in critical condition after they were affected by volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung in the Karo district, North Sumatera which erupted yesterday.
Bernama had earlier reported that the head of the Centre for Data, Information and Public Relations of Indonesia’s Natural Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said all the victims were local residents.
The 2,460-metre high volcano is among the most active in Indonesia and in 2014, several people were killed and thousands evacuated when it erupted.