Jakarta, Indonesia – An eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano on the Sunda Strait on Tuesday sent a dense ash plume over the Indonesian capital and surrounding provinces, forcing the temporary closure of the country’s main airport, the suspension of dozens of flights, and the shift of schools to remote learning. Health officials issued warnings about respiratory risks as ash settled on streets, rooftops and water supplies.
Ash plume reaches 50,000 feet and spreads across western Indonesia
According to CNN, the eruption propelled ash to an altitude of roughly 50,000 feet (15,200 metres), creating a blanket that drifted westward toward Jakarta within hours. Satellite imagery shared by IQAir confirmed a thick ash band moving across the Java Sea, while the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that wind patterns were directing the material over the capital’s densely populated districts.
“Ash plumes rose to 50,000 feet, creating a hazardous environment for air travel and public health,” the CNN report noted.
Transport and education crippled by volcanic ash
Airlines across the archipelago scrambled to adjust schedules. The BBC and Al Jazeera both reported that eight airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno‑Hatta International, were ordered to halt operations. Yahoo specified that 33 flights were cancelled at Soekarno‑Hatta alone, while the Los Angeles Times and DW.com cited “hundreds” of flight cancellations nationwide. The discrepancy reflects evolving information as authorities reassessed runway visibility and ash concentrations.
In Jakarta, the provincial government announced that all public and private schools would move to online instruction starting the following day. The same directive applied to early‑childhood centers, primary and junior high schools in the nearby city of Serang, as reported by detikNews. Students will not attend classes in person until the ash settles and air quality improves.
Health alerts and municipal response
The Ministry of Health warned of potential irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory tracts, especially for children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing conditions. Residents were advised to wear masks, keep windows closed and stay indoors where possible. Beritajakarta.id described a city‑wide effort to dampen three main arterial roads in West Jakarta with water trucks, a tactic intended to reduce airborne ash particles.
Jakarta’s governor’s office, together with the provincial disaster management agency, urged citizens to remain calm and to rely on official updates rather than rumors. The provincial government also launched a real‑time ash‑tracking dashboard, echoing calls from investor.id for the public to monitor the volcano through accredited sources.
Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island that emerged after the 2018 catastrophic eruption of its parent, Mount Krakatoa, remains one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. Its frequent eruptions pose a persistent threat to the heavily populated Java and Sumatra islands, making any ash event a national emergency. The CVGHM continues to monitor seismic activity and gas emissions, while the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stands ready to issue further alerts if conditions deteriorate.
Authorities expect that once ash concentrations fall below safety thresholds, flight operations will gradually resume and schools will assess the feasibility of a return to on‑site teaching. In the meantime, the government has asked residents to stay informed via the national meteorological agency and to follow any additional health advisories that may be issued.
