September 7, 2026 | 01:00 pm
A flight information display screen shows canceled flights following the temporary suspension of operations at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, September 6, 2026. Authorities closed the airport after meteorological paper tests confirmed the presence of Mount Anak Krakatau volcanic ash in the airspace. Tempo/Imam Sukamto
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian police have urged residents to remain calm as volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau reaches Jakarta and surrounding areas.Jakarta Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto warned the public against being alarmed by unverified information about the impact of the ash.“We urge residents to remain calm,” Budi said in a written statement on Monday, September 7, 2026.He called on the public not to panic following the eruption, adding that police would continue to prioritize public safety and health amid the situation.Police distribute masks, offer health checksPolice have stepped up efforts to distribute masks to residents traveling on roads in Jakarta and nearby areas. Masks have also been distributed at several locations, including Central Jakarta, East Jakarta, Depok and Bekasi.Passengers traveling through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, have also received masks.“We urge all passengers to remain calm, take care of their health and wear masks,” Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Senior Commissioner Wisnu Wardana said Monday.In addition to distributing masks, police have set up health screening services for residents. Officers are also providing vitamins and medication to people who need them as a precaution against potential health effects from volcanic ash.Police will continue monitoring conditions and responding quickly to the impact of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.“Put safety first and follow the instructions of officers on the ground,” Wisnu said in a written statement.Anak Krakatau remains at Alert Level IIIAccording to data from the Geological Agency of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Mount Anak Krakatau erupted at around 7:10 a.m. local time on Sunday, September 6.The eruption was recorded by a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 50 millimeters and lasted 16 seconds.The main potential hazards around the crater include lava flows, which may be accompanied by incandescent rock fragments.Lana Saria, acting head of the Geological Agency, said Mount Anak Krakatau's alert status had been raised to Level III, or Alert, from Level II, or Waspada, on July 2.“Based on a comprehensive analysis and evaluation, the activity level of Mount Anak Krakatau was raised from Level II (Waspada) to Level III (Siaga), effective July 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. local time,” Lana said in a statement cited on Friday, July 3.The Geological Agency has established a 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano's center of activity.“Residents around Mount Anak Krakatau and visitors, tourists and climbers are prohibited from entering or carrying out activities within a 3-kilometer radius of the volcano's center of activity,” Lana said.Authorities have also urged the public to remain alert to potential hazards, including hot clouds, lava flows, incandescent rock fragments and heavy volcanic ashfall.
