Prepare for the worst! Bali travelers warned to pack 'volcano survival kits' - as thousands of holidaymakers head to the island for Christmas

  • Those traveling to Bali before Christmas have been warned to pack volcano kits 
  • Masks and goggles are needed for protection from smoke and ash in the region
  • A second eruption from Mount Agung remain imminent with maximum warnings
  • Indonesia's Disaster Management board currently lists the area safe for tourists 

Bali travelers are being told to prepare for the worst and pack volcano survival kits, as thousands flock to the resort island ahead of the holiday season.

US-based volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner is warning those heading to Bali to pack goggles and masks, as Mount Agung threatens to erupt.

'This is a personal decision but travellers must be aware of the risks and take precautions,' Dr Krippner told Perth Now.

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Bali travelers are being told to prepare for the worst and pack volcano survival kits as Mount Agung threatens to erupt

Bali travelers are being told to prepare for the worst and pack volcano survival kits as Mount Agung threatens to erupt

'This is a personal decision but travellers must be aware of the risks and take precautions,' Dr Janine Krippner said

'This is a personal decision but travellers must be aware of the risks and take precautions,' Dr Janine Krippner said

Masks are being distributed around the island as ash and smoke covers the area, wrecking havoc on those with asthma

Masks are being distributed around the island as ash and smoke covers the area, wrecking havoc on those with asthma

Experts are urging those heading to the island to pack goggles and masks to protect themselves from ash and smoke

Experts are urging those heading to the island to pack goggles and masks to protect themselves from ash and smoke

Volcanic activity remains high in the region and experts warn a second, more powerful eruption is imminent.

Dr Krippner urged asthma sufferers to reconsider their plans to travel to Bali, as ash and smoke from the volcano blanketed the region.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travelers to the area to remain cautious.

DFAT is warning travelers to ensure they have adequate funds and accommodation to remain on the island should Mount Agung erupt.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travelers to the area to remain cautious

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travelers to the area to remain cautious

Volcanic activity remains high in the region and experts warn a second, more powerful eruption is imminent

Volcanic activity remains high in the region and experts warn a second, more powerful eruption is imminent

An exclusion zone remains in place around Mount Agung with a level four danger warning.

The latest statement from Indonesia's Disaster Management board claims the island is safe for tourists.

Authorities raised the alert status to the maximum after it started erupting last month.

The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said that the rate of seismic events had decreased since peak activity in September and October. 

The latest statement from Indonesia's Disaster Management board claims the island is safe for tourists

The latest statement from Indonesia's Disaster Management board claims the island is safe for tourists

The rate of seismic events has decreased since peak activity in September and October but ash and smoke is still being emitted from the crater

The rate of seismic events has decreased since peak activity in September and October but ash and smoke is still being emitted from the crater

Mount Agung's crater is now more than one-third full, which means a violent eruption remains likely. 

The volcano has forced more than 40,000 local residents from the 'red zone'.

The once-bustling streets of the tourist hotspot have become a ghost town since Mount Agung began spewing plumes of ash.

Flights in and out of Bali have regularly been interrupted and cancelled, both due to the smoke and potential explosion from the volcano.