Wind change sees Bali flights cancelled

Jetstar and Qantas have canceled all flights from Bali this afternoon because of new information on the movement of the volcanic ash cloud. Both airlines had been in a race against forecast wind changes and the imminent explosive eruption of Mount Agung to clear passengers stranded on the holiday island. The two airlines will still operate 11 rescue flights this morning and early afternoon. Neither airline is taking passengers to Bali. However, Virgin Australia is continuing to operate rescue flights. Read: Bali passengers may be able to seek refund. More tremors occurred yesterday and overnight and the time between them is decreasing while their strength is increasing according to the Indonesian seismic reports. A major escalation of the eruption is expected at any time. However, there has been a significant reduction in the amount of ash coming from Mount Agung prompting some officials to comment that the eruption may be over. But on Twitter, noted volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner said that “this does not mean it is over. “Fluctuations in activity are a normal part of the life of volcanoes,” Dr Krippner said. Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre also warned that a more violent eruption remains likely. Devy Kamil Syahbana, of the PVMBG, told Reuters: "We cannot predict whether it will be bigger than 1963, but according to our evaluation the potential for a full-scale eruption is still high.” In 1963, the Mt Agung eruption killed more than 1600 and lasted over a year.