Flight operations at six airports in Indonesia were heavily disrupted on Sunday following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The volcanic ash severely impacted air travel, leading to the disruption of 301 flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport alone, including 58 international routes. Due to the accumulation of ash, flights at the airport were grounded until 1:30 PM local time. Major carriers, including Singapore Airlines, announced the cancellation of all scheduled flights to and from Jakarta for the day.
The eruption at Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, has been continuous since Friday night. Officials reported that the plume of volcanic ash reached heights of up to 6,000 meters toward Java and rose as high as 15,000 meters toward Sumatra. The resulting ashfall forced several local schools to suspend classes, while local fishing operations were also brought to a halt.
In response to the crisis, the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency announced plans to launch cloud-seeding operations aimed at triggering rainfall to help clear the thick layer of ash. Authorities have advised the public to wear protective face masks and goggles, limit unnecessary outdoor activities, and exercise extra caution while driving. Meanwhile, officials confirmed that the eruption poses no immediate threat of triggering a tsunami.
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