Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Flights, Schools And Fishing

A major eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano has disrupted air travel and daily life, forcing six airports to suspend operations as volcanic ash spread across parts of Java and Sumatra.

The eruption, which began late Friday, sent volcanic ash to altitudes of up to 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) on the Java side and 50,000 feet (15,000 metres) toward Sumatra, according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency.

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport temporarily suspended flight operations because of the ash, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Airport operator Angkasa Pura said the disruption affected 301 flights, including 58 international services. Singapore Airlines also cancelled flights to and from Jakarta for the remainder of Sunday.

Airport authorities said they were providing food and light refreshments to affected passengers and arranging buses to transport them to hotels in coordination with airlines.

The disruption extended beyond aviation. Several schools cancelled activities after students and residents experienced eye irritation from volcanic ash, while local fishermen called off fishing trips because of the hazardous conditions.

Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency has planned a weather-modification operation that could include cloud seeding in an effort to trigger rainfall and wash volcanic ash from affected areas.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm but increase vigilance. People exposed to ash have been advised to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activities, cover water sources and exercise caution while driving because volcanic ash can severely reduce visibility.

Ferry services through the Sunda Strait remained operational. However, authorities instructed vessels to remain at least 3 kilometres from Anak Krakatau’s crater and warned them to remain alert for volcanic ash and other ejected materials.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Mount Semeru in East Java also erupted on Sunday, sending an ash column about 1 kilometre above its summit. Officials warned residents to stay at least 5 kilometres from the crater because of the potential for hot ash clouds and lava flows.

Anak Krakatau has remained at Alert Level 3, the country’s second-highest warning level, since July 2. Four other Indonesian volcanoes are also at the same alert level.

Authorities said there was no imminent tsunami threat from the latest eruption. However, Anak Krakatau has a deadly history. Its 2018 eruption triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people, while the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption and subsequent tsunamis killed more than 36,000.

Source: Reuters.