Anak Krakatau Volcanic Ash Covers Serang
Volcanic ash resulting from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait began hitting the coastal areas of Serang Regency, Banten, on Saturday night, causing residents to complain of stinging eyes and disrupting teaching and learning activities in schools.
Sanan (42), a resident of Kampung Pasaurable Satu, Umbul Tanjung Village, Cinangka District, stated at the Anak Krakatau Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA) in Serang Regency on Saturday night that the volcanic ash exposure began to thicken around residential areas from 5:00 PM WIB.
“From five in the evening, there was a lot of dust. When riding a motorcycle, my eyes hurt if I do not wear a helmet. The dust also clings to the body, making it uncomfortable. Even in front of my house, a lot of dust has accumulated on the floor,” he said.
Sanan added that the continuous series of rumbling sounds and vibrations since Friday (4/9) night prompted him to take the initiative to visit the Anak Krakatau Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA) in Pasauran directly to ensure the safety conditions of the volcano.
Similar concerns were shared by the Head of SDN Pasir Menteng, Cinangka District, Ajat Sudrajat.
Ajat intentionally visited the Anak Krakatau PGA Post that night to personally verify the status and condition of the volcano, in order to obtain valid information to be communicated to students and parents at the school.
Ajat confirmed that the distribution of volcanic dust is significantly disrupting comfort and physical health during outdoor activities.
“On the road, if you are not wearing a mask, it causes quite a bit of throat irritation, and eyes sting if you are not wearing glasses. Although the ash is not clearly visible in the air, the dust is visibly accumulating here at the Krakatau monitoring post,” he said.
Direct information from the monitoring post is considered vital by Ajat, given that the eruptive activity has triggered anxiety among the community and has resulted in lower student attendance at schools.
Furthermore, Ajat noted that while the vibrations and booms from the eruptions are considered a common phenomenon by most residents of Pasauran, some individuals have taken the initiative to seek safety.
“The community is still relatively safe because these things are common and natural for the people of Pasauran. However, some residents have taken the initiative to move themselves to mountainous areas for safety,” he said.