Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early on Sunday, leading to significant disruptions in air travel across Jakarta. The eruption led to the temporary suspension of all flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s busiest airport. Authorities reported that there were no casualties, and no immediate evacuation order was issued, but they advised residents and visitors to stay clear of the active crater.

The eruption affected 209 flight movements and approximately 22,800 passengers, causing significant disruptions across various domestic and international routes. Among those affected were flights to Makassar in South Sulawesi and numerous international services, particularly those bound for Singapore.

Details of the Eruption and Subsequent Advisory

According to Indonesia’s Geological Agency, the volcanic activity was being monitored closely, having shown signs of increased activity from Friday. The eruption lasted about 30 seconds, occurring at 3.53 am on Sunday, and was captured by closed-circuit cameras showing lava flares emerging from the mountain. For safety reasons, residents within a 3 km radius of the crater were advised to remain vigilant.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation reported that volcanic ash spread across several areas, including Jakarta and Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra. In light of these developments, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport issued a travel advisory stating that flight operations would be suspended from 5:30 am to 9:30 am due to the increased activity from the volcano.

As a result of the disruption, many passengers sought refunds and collected their checked baggage as flight cancellations continued to be announced. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation noted that 170 aircraft remained parked overnight at the airport, complicating the situation further.

Ongoing Monitoring and Safety Measures

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is actively coordinating with airlines, airport operators, and meteorology agencies to monitor the situation closely. Officials highlighted that safety remains the top priority in all operational decisions. Lukman F. Laisa, the director general of civil aviation, stated in a message that flight schedules might experience cascading disruptions as airlines work towards restoring regular operations.

Authorities urged travellers to confirm flight details with their airlines and advised against unnecessary travel to the airport. This call for caution follows the identification of two ash clouds through satellite imagery, with one reported to have reached heights of 20,000 feet and drifting northeast, affecting areas in Jakarta and parts of West Java. Another ash plume rose to 50,000 feet, moving towards the west and northwest.

This cloud impacted regions in Banten, Lampung, and surrounding parts of the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra. The recent developments concerning Anak Krakatau are particularly significant given its historical context following the infamous 1883 eruption of Krakatau, which led to global climatic changes.

Historical Context and Current Status of Anak Krakatau

Anak Krakatau, known as the “child of Krakatau,” has a troubling record in recent history, including a major eruption in 2018 that led to a tsunami, causing over 430 fatalities across Sumatra and Java. Scientists currently classify the volcano at the second-highest alert level on a four-point scale, noting that the island is noticeably diminished, now reduced to roughly a quarter of its original size.

In summary, the eruption of Anak Krakatau not only disrupted air travel but also underscored the persistent volatility of the region. While authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, they remain committed to ensuring public safety without imposing evacuation measures at this time.

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