209 Flights Disrupted at Jakarta Airport After Anak Krakatau Eruption Amid Natural Disasters
Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia erupted multiple times starting Friday amid natural disasters, sending ash columns up to 15,000 meters high, prompting the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta and disrupting dozens of flights.
Eruption Triggers Airport Closures
Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta was temporarily closed early Sunday after volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau was detected in the airport area, disrupting dozens of flights, the Ministry of Transportation said. [3] Due to increased eruptive activity at Mount Anak Krakatau, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has suspended flight operations until 1:30 p.m. local time, the airport said on its official Instagram channel. [3] In addition to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, authorities temporarily closed Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Budiarto Airport in Curug, Tangerang and Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung. [3] Around 23,000 passengers were affected by the closures, while 170 aircraft that had remained overnight on the apron at Soekarno-Hatta were confirmed safe, said Lukman. [3] A total of 16 international flights were canceled, seven delayed and five rescheduled, with affected routes including Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha, Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. [3] For domestic services, four flights were canceled and one was diverted, affecting routes including Lampung, Denpasar and Surabaya. [3] Lukman said aviation authorities were continuing to monitor Mount Anak Krakatau's activity and coordinate with airlines, the airport operator, air navigation service provider and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency to adjust flight operations based on volcanic ash conditions. [3] The disruption affected both international and domestic flights at Indonesia's main airport. [3]
Details of Volcanic Activity
Indonesia's meteorology agency BMKG reported that the volcano erupted on Friday. [2] According to the agency, a lava fountain rose from the volcano and loud sounds spread. [2] Two more new eruptions were recorded on Sunday. [2] The volcano stands in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. [2] According to BMKG, the ash column reached 6,000 meters on the Java side and even 15,000 meters on the Sumatra side. [2] Mount Anak Krakatau erupted continuously on Friday, starting at 11:07 p.m. local time and continuing on early Sunday. [4] Volcanic ash from the eruption had been observed spreading through the atmosphere across five provinces, Banten, West Java, Jakarta, Lampung and Bengkulu. [4]
Health Ministry Response to Natural Disasters
The Ministry of Health has activated the Health Emergency Operating Center and prepared nebulizers, oxygen concentrators, eye drops, and skin ointments in response to the health impacts of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption. [5] In a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the eruption has impacted health, including respiratory, eye, and skin health. [5] The minister stated that a circular would be issued immediately to provide detailed guidance to healthcare workers in all affected districts and cities. [5] To reduce the impact, residents were urged to stay indoors. [5] Those who need to go outside should wear masks and glasses to protect themselves from volcanic ash particles. [5] If skin irritation occurs, the affected area should be cleaned immediately after returning home. [5] If feeling unwell, treatment should be sought at a community health center. [5] Nebulizers and oxygen concentrators have been prepared for respiratory problems, eye drops for eye irritation, and ointments for skin problems. [5] People were advised not to rub their eyes if volcanic ash gets into them but instead to rinse with water or eye drops or seek treatment at a community health center. [5]
Railway and Mobility Measures
Indonesia's state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia has added a train service from Semarang to Jakarta as a precaution against a possible surge in passenger demand following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait. [4] The additional train will depart from Semarang Tawang Station at 8:15 p.m. local time and has a capacity of 570 seats, comprising five executive-class carriages, four economy-class carriages and a dining car. [4] KAI has also added carriages to the Gumarang train bound for Jakarta. [4] Two economy-class carriages, each with a capacity of 72 seats, have been added to the Gumarang train. [4] The measures reflect readiness to respond to changing travel patterns and passenger demand, particularly for journeys to Jakarta. [4] KAI will continue monitoring developments and passenger travel needs. [4]
Ash Dispersion and Monitoring
The direction and extent of the volcanic ash dispersion could change depending on wind direction and speed at different altitudes, while the height of the eruption column, duration of the eruption and amount of material released could also affect its spread. [4] The Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said weather modification operations are underway. [5] One technique is to induce rain so that volcanic ash can be quickly washed away if sufficient rain falls. [5] If no rain clouds develop over Jakarta, Banten, and Lampung, water mist will be used to disperse dangerous volcanic ash particles. [5] Logistical needs such as basic necessities and masks are being distributed to the public in coordination with the Health Ministry and related authorities. [5] BMKG is intensifying 24-hour monitoring of the development of Mount Anak Krakatau's eruptive activity and its impact on the atmosphere, aviation, and sea conditions around the Sunda Strait. [5] Based on satellite imagery analyzed at 8 a.m. local time, BMKG identified two volcanic ash clusters over Banten, Jakarta, West Java, and Bengkulu. [5]
Historical Context
After the powerful eruption of this volcano in 2018, a tsunami occurred off the coasts of Sumatra and Java, killing 430 people, and the volcano itself collapsed significantly. [2] Anak Krakatau, whose name means "child of Krakatau," was formed after the legendary Krakatau volcano eruption in 1883, which is believed to have killed about 35,000 people. [2]
What to watch next: Aviation authorities will continue monitoring Mount Anak Krakatau's activity and coordinate adjustments based on volcanic ash conditions while BMKG intensifies 24-hour monitoring of eruptive activity and its impact on the atmosphere, aviation, and sea conditions around the Sunda Strait.
