Jakarta, Indonesia – The Indonesian government maintained the closure of eight airports on Monday and ordered schools in ash‑affected provinces to conduct classes online, even as the continuous 25‑hour eruption of Anak Krakatau showed signs of easing.
Airport closures remain in place
AirNav Indonesia confirmed that volcanic ash continues to linger in the airspace surrounding Jakarta and several other cities. Because of the hazardous ash concentrations, authorities kept the following airports closed until 6 p.m. Monday:
- Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport (Jakarta)
- Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Jakarta)
- Husein Sastranegara Airport (West Java)
- Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung, Sumatra)
- Four additional regional airports managed by the state‑owned operator InJourney Airports
The closures have disrupted roughly 2,300 flights and affected 268,539 passengers at the four InJourney‑managed airports, according to the company’s latest figures.
Schools shift to remote learning
In response to ashfall concerns, the Ministry of Education authorized schools in Jakarta, West Java, Banten and Lampung provinces to move temporarily to online learning. The measure aims to protect students from inhaling ash while still providing continuity of instruction.
Volcanic activity outlook
Geology Agency head Lana Saria warned that the probability of additional eruptions in the coming days remains high. She highlighted three primary hazards: volcanic bombs, heavy ashfall, and the potential for lava flows should sustained eruptive activity resume.
While the main eruption plume, which produced a lava fountain and a boom heard 700 km away, ended on Sunday, the volcano continued to emit moderate, intermittent eruptions and dark ash clouds. Weather conditions also hampered visual monitoring of the activity.
Background on Anak Krakatau
Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau,” sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. It is the offspring of the infamous 1883 Krakatau eruption that triggered a period of global cooling. The 2018 Anak Krakatau eruption famously generated a tsunami that claimed at least 430 lives after an underwater landslide caused a massive portion of the volcano’s southwest flank to collapse.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” home to more than 120 active volcanoes, making volcanic events a recurring challenge for the nation’s aviation and public‑health authorities.
What’s next?
Officials will continue to monitor ash concentrations and seismic activity. Airports will remain closed until air quality tests confirm safe conditions, and schools will stay in remote mode until ashfall diminishes to levels that pose no health risk to students.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to follow official guidance, wear protective masks when outdoors, and stay informed through local news outlets for updates on airport operations and school schedules.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
