Whoosh operates normally despite Mount Anak Krakatau volcanic ash

Jakarta and surrounding regions are experiencing reduced air travel and educational disruptions due to ongoing volcanic ash fallout from Anak Krakatau eruptions, according to Indonesia's transport minister. The transport ministry announced on Monday that seven airports, comprising two servicing the capital city, remain closed as of Monday morning, with a further six slated to stay shut until 6 p.m. local time (1100 GMT).

Mainstay Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport, located in Tangerang, saw restless passengers anxious for flight updates, with some resorting to sleeping on benches during the delays.

The ash, ejected in a late Friday eruption, has coated the city and nearby areas, forcing residents to wipe down floors and smoky walls in affected homes. The Red Cross reported over 270,000 affected individuals, with 2,300 flights cancelled or rerouted. Anak Krakatau, nestled between Java and Sumatra islands and one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes, has produced lava that has illuminated the night sky in red hues. The volcano monitoring agency warned of a high probability of additional eruptions.

Experts noted the ash, composed of sulphur and silica, could endanger aircraft engines, emphasizing the dynamic nature of Indonesia’s volcanic landscape, which sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Schools in Jakarta and Lampung have adopted remote learning to safeguard students from potential health risks posed by the ash. The government advises wearing masks outdoors to avoid inhalation of the hazardous particles.