MetMalaysia monitoring movement of Mount Sinabung volcanic ash

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) will continue to monitor the movement of ash and dust from Mount Sinabung eruption in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said so far no ash from the volcano had reached Malaysia and as at noon Monday, no further eruption occurred.

"No dust from Sinabung reached the country as the wind speed on the surface to an altitude of 5,000 feet was weak," he said in a statement Monday.

PHOTO: The deadly eruption of Mount Sinabung

He said MetMalaysia would continue to monitor the movement of volcanic ash in the air space for the Flight Information Region (FIR) in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.

"Should further eruption affect flights in the FIR, advisory on ash and dust for flights would be issued," he said.

Six people were confirmed killed so far while three others were in critical condition after being scorched by hot clouds of ash from the volcano eruption in Karo district, north Sumatra since Saturday (May 21).