Banten Governor: Anak Krakatau eruption poses no tsunami risk

Serang (ANTARA) - Banten Governor Andra Soni has confirmed that the recent series of eruptions at Mount Anak Krakatau do not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, and has urged the public to remain calm.

The statement was made by Andra after inspecting the Anak Krakatau Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in Serang Regency on Sunday, together with relevant agencies including the Geological Agency and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). According to him, the current morphology of Mount Anak Krakatau is much flatter than when it triggered a tsunami in 2018.

“The indication of why there is no tsunami now is that the size of its body is far different from 2018. In 2018, its height above sea level was around 300-plus metres. Now, according to the Geological Agency, it is still sloping,” said Andra.

Although it has been confirmed safe from the threat of a tsunami, the eruption activity, which at one point continued non-stop for 24 hours, has prompted the Banten Provincial Government to implement a number of mitigation and precautionary measures to protect residents from the danger of volcanic ash. The provincial government moved quickly to distribute respiratory protection.

“Alhamdulillah, I have instructed the Head of the Health Office to distribute 5,000 boxes of masks to regencies and cities, for distribution to the public,” he said.

In addition, Andra also asked regencies and cities to prepare evacuation routes and the availability of shelters as an anticipatory measure. Fishermen, tourists and the general public are also strictly prohibited from approaching the Mount Anak Krakatau area within a 3-kilometre radius of the eruption centre.

“Regarding restrictions on outdoor activities, the public is advised to reduce outdoor activities and is required to wear masks and glasses if forced to leave the house,” he said.

He stressed that the Banten Provincial Government, together with regency and city governments, will continue to monitor this volcanic activity closely. The public is urged not to be easily provoked by baseless issues and to refer only to information updates from the official channels of the Geological Agency and the local Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).