Gov’t Monitors Anak Krakatau Eruption, Prepares Weather Modification Operation and Tsunami Monitoring
The Government continues to monitor the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau while accelerating measures to mitigate its impacts on communities and flight operations. According to reports from the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto and the Head of the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) Teuku Faisal Fathani, eruption activity has shown a declining trend, while efforts to address the spread of volcanic ash are being carried out in an integrated manner.
This was conveyed during a limited meeting on the development of natural disaster response, led by President Prabowo Subianto from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, via video conference on Monday (09/07).
Head of BNPB Suharyanto reported that the eruption condition of Anak Krakatau as of today has decreased. Based on BNPB observations, the current eruption level is also lower compared to the 2018 eruption.
“In our assessment at BNPB as of today, the eruption condition has declined. We are comparing the 2026 situation with the 2018 eruption, where in 2018 a similar event occurred, but the eruption level was higher than in 2026,” he said.
Nevertheless, the spread of volcanic ash temporarily affected four provinces: Jakarta, West Java, Lampung, and South Sumatra, and disrupted flight operations. The BNPB recorded eight airports are closed due to the spread of Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash. On the other hand, as of this report, there have been no casualties, damage, or regions declaring emergency status.
To reduce the impact of volcanic ash, the BNPB and the BMKG have prepared a weather modification operation (WMO) to induce rainfall so that ash can settle more quickly. The operation is being prepared from several locations, including Pondok Cabe, Kertajati, as well as Semarang as an alternative if flight conditions in the Sunda Strait area remain unfeasible.
In the same occasion, Head of the BMKG Head conveyed positive developments in wind patterns. At various altitude levels, wind direction has shifted to the west, northwest, and southwest, thus no longer heading southeast as before. The BMKG also forecasts the potential for clouds and light to moderate rain on September 9-12, 2026, which will be enhanced through WMO in collaboration with BNPB.
“We have monitored that approximately from September 9-12, 2026, there will be potential for clouds and also rain with light to moderate intensity, particularly in areas affected by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. Therefore, we will reinforce this with WMO together with BNPB,” said Fathani.
The BMKG also continues to coordinate intensively with the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin, Australia, designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as part of monitoring and adjusting aviation meteorological information.
Field monitoring also shows positive developments. Results of paper tests at four airports, namely Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, Husein Sastranegara, and Budiarto Curug, have shown negative results for volcanic ash.
“For Soekarno-Hatta, four consecutive paper tests have shown negative results, meaning no volcanic ash was detected from these paper tests. We continue to communicate this with the VAAC in Darwin so that the SIGMET (significant meteorological information) can be restored,” he explained.
In addition to impacts on aviation, the BMKG also continues to monitor tsunami potential. A total of 20 tsunami monitoring devices have been installed around the Sunda Strait, and to date, no anomalies in sea level rise related to the Anak Krakatau eruption have been detected. Monitoring is further strengthened with seismograph sensors and high-frequency radar to detect possible rapid changes in sea conditions.
In the shipping sector, coordination is also being conducted with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation under the Ministry of Transportation. Notices to mariners have been issued restricting vessel activity within a three-kilometer radius from the crater of Mount Anak Krakatau while the volcano remains at Level III or Standby status.
The Government ensures that all developments regarding Mount Anak Krakatau continue to be monitored intensively. Public safety remains the priority, alongside efforts to maintain aviation and maritime security and ensure the tsunami early warning system continues to function optimally.
Through WMO, 24-hour monitoring, and cross-agency coordination, the Government continues to minimize the eruption’s impacts while accelerating the restoration of community activities in affected areas. (BPMI) (EST/AW)
