Three regions face Anak Krakatau ash as government bolsters mitigation

Jakarta, Indonesia is facing challenges in inducing rain following eruptions at Mount Anak Krakatau, as volcanic ash is hampering the efforts. The Geological Agency reported 17 low-frequency earthquakes, 23 hybrid earthquakes, nine harmonic tremors and continuous tremor in their latest monitoring update. The volcano is currently at Level III, the second-highest alert level in Indonesia's four-tier volcano alert system.

Authorities are closely monitoring the volcano through Anak Krakatau Volcano Observation Posts in Pasauran, Banten, and Kalianda, Lampung. Anak Krakatau has been erupting since Friday, sending volcanic ash across parts of western Indonesia and disrupting air travel. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has been attempting to induce rain through weather modification operations but is struggling due to the volcanic ash.

BNPB has identified three airports as potential bases for conducting the operations - Pondok Cabe Airport near Jakarta, Kertajati International Airport in West Java and Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang. The meteorology agency has predicted potential cloud formation and light to moderate rain over affected areas from September 9, but the effectiveness of the weather modification operation could be limited by the volcanic ash.