Eight Indonesian airports remain shut due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau

Eight Indonesian airports remain shut as of Monday morning (Sep 7) due to volcanic ash emitted from Mount Anak Krakatau's eruptions, according to the transport minister. The closure, affecting two airports serving Jakarta and six others in the region, has impacted 170,000 people since the eruption occurred late Friday. The ash, originating from the active volcano situated between Java and Sumatra islands, has blanketed Jakarta and surrounding areas, prompting the closure of these airports for safety reasons.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the closure, which includes Jakarta's surrounding provinces of Lampung and West Java, would persist until at least 8.59am. Singapore Airlines among other airlines, has cancelled flights to and from Jakarta, with nine flights affected on Monday. The most recent eruptions saw ash reach heights of 6,000 meters on the Java side and 15,000 meters on the Sumatra side, as observed by the meteorological agency BMKG.

The disaster agency has advised residents to wear masks while outdoors due to the hazardous conditions. Schools in Jakarta and Lampung will utilize remote learning to mitigate health risks for students. Indonesia, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Anak Krakatau, meaning "child of Krakatau," emerged a century ago from the site of the older Krakatau volcano, which experienced catastrophic eruptions in 1883, resulting in over 36,000 fatalities due to tsunamis.