Indonesia suspended flights at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport early Sunday after ash from the continuing eruption of Anak Krakatau reached major air routes. The Transportation Ministry said 33 flights, including international services, were affected by the suspension, while authorities intensified monitoring of the volcano, the atmosphere and nearby seas.
Anak Krakatau lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Indonesia's Geological Agency said activity had continued since Friday, with a sustained phase producing glowing lava fountains, lava flows, ash and loud booms. The volcano has remained at Level III, or alert, since July 2, and officials have not ordered an evacuation.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, known as BMKG, said satellite analysis at 8 a.m. local time Sunday showed two ash clusters extending over Banten, Jakarta, West Java and as far as Bengkulu. The agency said it had issued 50 aviation hazard notices since the initial eruption late Friday, enabling air traffic authorities and airport operators to adjust operations.
The Associated Press reported that one plume reached about 6,100 metres and drifted northeast. No casualties had been reported, and the nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometres from the volcanic island. The Geological Agency nevertheless told residents, tourists and climbers to remain at least three kilometres from the active crater because of risks from hot clouds, lava, incandescent rocks and heavy ashfall.
The eruption raised concern along the coasts of Banten and Lampung because a partial collapse of Anak Krakatau generated a deadly Sunda Strait tsunami in December 2018. The Geological Agency and national disaster agency BNPB said the cone rebuilt since that event remains relatively small and is not currently capable of a collapse on the scale needed to trigger a tsunami, while stressing that its shape and activity remain under close observation.
Authorities asked coastal communities to remain calm, follow local disaster-management instructions and rely on official updates. Flight schedules will depend on the movement and concentration of ash, which can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility. BMKG said it would maintain round-the-clock monitoring as agencies evaluate whether conditions allow normal operations to resume safely.
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