The Mount Sinabung volcano on Indonesia's Sumatra island erupted on Monday, spewing columns of ash as high as 5km and sending hot ash down the slopes.

Head of National Volcanology Agency Kasbani said the hot ash came sliding 4.9km to the southeast of the crater and 3.5 kilometres to the east.

"This is the highest eruption this year," he told China's Xinhua news agency via telephone.

Kasbani said Mount Sinabung's volcanic ash did not disrupt flights in the province.

"The ash did not reach Medan city and the airport," he said referring to Kualanamu international Airport in North Sumatra province.

The agency did not recommend new evacuation or extension to the no-go zone.

Mount Sinabung volcano, which was inactive for four centuries, erupted in 2010, 2014 and 2016.

- Bernama