Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau blanketed Jakarta and surrounding areas, forcing the closure of eight Indonesian airports and disrupting travel for 170,000 passengers, according to the transport ministry. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted late on September 4, with subsequent activity recorded on September 6 at 8:23 pm local time by the volcano-monitoring agency.
Airport Closures and Flight Disruptions Across Indonesia
The transport ministry confirmed that eight airports remained closed early on September 7 due to safety hazards from volcanic ash. Jakarta’s main airport was scheduled to stay closed until 6 pm local time, while seven other facilities serving West Java and Lampung provinces remained shut until at least 8:59 am local time. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that operators cannot ascertain when the disruptions will end due to dynamic weather conditions.
The sudden closures left numerous passengers stranded and searching for alternatives. Businesswoman Henny Yensan, 44, told AFP that travelers were disappointed but understood the situation stemmed from a natural disaster. Meanwhile, Danone executive Samuel Guiberteau, 47, noted that alternative flights on carriers like Citilink were also cancelled, leaving him temporarily stranded in Lombok.
Health Hazards and Public Safety Measures
Ash plumes reached heights of 6,000 meters on the Java side and up to 15,000 meters on the Sumatra side and Banten province, according to the meteorological agency BMKG. The disaster agency advised residents to wear masks outdoors, while state news agency Antara reported that schools in Jakarta and Lampung shifted to remote learning to protect students.
In Bandar Lampung, volcanic ash coated parked cars and roadsides. Resident Andre Bayu Saputra, 25, expressed concern to AFP over potential lung infections. The health minister urged residents to stay indoors and use face masks to mitigate respiratory, skin, and eye risks, while local newspaper Kompas reported that students and fishermen suffered eye irritations from thick dust.
Volcanic Activity and Tsunami Risk Assessment
Geology agency head Lana Saria stated that seismic activity indicates the movement of volcanic fluids, though the exact timing and magnitude of future eruptions cannot be precisely predicted. The volcano-monitoring agency warned that the probability of further eruptions remains high. However, officials confirmed that the current activity does not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, unlike the 2018 collapse of Anak Krakatoa that caused a deadly tsunami killing 429 people.
Port authorities established a strict 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano. Ships traversing the Sunda Strait were instructed to increase navigational vigilance, and vessels are strictly prohibited from entering the exclusion zone due to the danger of ejected materials.
Did You Know?
Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatoa,” emerged from the sea at the beginning of the last century inside the caldera formed by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa, which claimed approximately 35,000 lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Indonesian airports closed?
Eight airports in Indonesia remain closed because volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau poses severe safety risks to aircraft engines and visibility, according to the transport ministry.
Is there a tsunami warning associated with the current eruption?
How are residents protecting themselves from the ash?
The health minister and disaster agencies have advised residents to stay indoors, wear protective face masks, and use eye drops to counter irritation, while schools in affected areas have shifted to remote learning.