The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia alerts U.S. citizens residing in, or traveling to Indonesia that Mt. Kelud, an active volcano 100 miles south of Surabaya on the island of Java, erupted Thursday night, February 13, creating an ash and debris cloud 55,000 ft. in altitude. The eruption deposited ash up to three inches thick to the southwest of Mt. Kelud, as well as lesser amounts of ash over most of Java. Roads within the districts of Malang, Batu, and Kediri are closed because of poor visibility and ash accumulations. The eruption caused some airports to close, but as of Tuesday, February 18, all airports are again open.
Mt. Kelud continues to generate lesser ash and steam eruptions, and the Government of Indonesia continues to enforce a six-mile radius exclusion zone. If the eruption intensity increases, airports may close again U.S. citizens are advised to avoid travel to the area around Mt. Kelud, pay attention to local media, and check with local airports for scheduled air travel.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Indonesia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Indonesia. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
U.S. Embassy Jakarta is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour switchboard telephone number is 62-21-3435-9000. The telephone number of U.S. Consulate General Surabaya is 62-31-295-6400; U.S. Consulate Medan is 62-61-415-2200; U.S. Consular Agency Bali is 62-361-233-605.
