Although volcanic activity from Mount Anak Krakatau in Lampung was officially declared over on Sunday, September 6, 2026, its impact lingered into Monday, September 7.
According to monitoring by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency on Monday morning (Sept. 7) between 06:30–09:30 WIB, volcanic ash was observed at altitudes up to 15,000 feet (4.57 km), moving westward at 15 knots with consistent intensity.
At layers from the surface up to 15,000 feet, the ash spread southwest to northwest, covering parts of Banten, western–southern West Java, Lampung, and Bengkulu, as well as surrounding waters and the Indian Ocean west of those regions.
At higher layers, up to 50,000 feet (15.24 km), ash was detected further into the Indian Ocean west to southwest of Bengkulu, Lampung, and Banten — drifting away from Indonesian territory.
Eight Airports Closed
Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency continues to update information on volcanic ash movement, as the spread of eruption material can affect air quality, visibility, and flight safety.
In response, AirNav Indonesia issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) instructing authorities to temporarily close eight airports in Java and Sumatra until 18:00 WIB:
▪️ Soekarno‑Hatta Airport (Tangerang)
▪️ Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Jakarta)
▪️ Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung)
▪️ Husein Sastranegara Airport (Bandung)
▪️ Budiarto Airport (Curug)
▪️ Pondok Cabe Airport (South Tangerang)
▪️ Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Airport (West Coast, Lampung)
▪️ Atungbusu Airport (South Sumatra)
“The paper test results serve as field verification, complementing satellite imagery and aviation meteorology data, providing a more comprehensive picture of affected areas,” said Andri Ramdhani, Acting Deputy for Meteorology at the Agency.
Weather Modification Efforts
After volcanic activity was reported to have subsided, the National Disaster Management Agency/BNPB began weather modification operations on Monday, September 7, to disperse the ash cloud that disrupted flights.
BNPB also prepared backup scenarios in case western regions remained covered by ash. Aircraft from Semarang, Central Java, would be deployed to trigger rainfall in affected areas.
“At the very least, we hope rain will come today or tomorrow to help wash away the volcanic ash that is currently disrupting our lives,” BNPB Chief, Suharyanto said, stressing that rainfall could significantly reduce ash distribution.
Sources: Suara, Kompas
Feat Image: via AntaraNews//Weli Ayu Rejeki
