Cianjur Police Clear Volcanic Ash Using Two Water Cannons

Cianjur (ANTARA) - Cianjur Resort Police in West Java, together with the Cianjur district administration, are clearing volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau that has fallen across Cianjur using two water cannons and two fire engines sweeping the main thoroughfares.

Cianjur Police Chief AKBP Alexander Yurikho Hadi said in Cianjur on Monday that the spraying of several protocol road sections in Cianjur was intended to ensure that fallen volcanic ash does not spread or become airborne, where it could harm public health.

Over the past two days, the volcanic ash falling on Cianjur has been quite thick, coating buildings, vehicles and open spaces along the protocol and main roads of Cianjur, meaning it must be doused with water to prevent it from spreading.

“We have deployed two water cannon units to spray along the protocol roads where the volcanic ash is fairly thick, and this activity will continue over the coming days,” he said.

With volcanic ash still falling on Cianjur, he asked residents to reduce activities outside the home, and if they must go out, to observe health protocols, especially wearing masks, and to wash their hands and face frequently after activities.

“We will carry out spraying for as long as needed, coordinating with the relevant agencies at the Cianjur district administration, and we ask residents to temporarily reduce outdoor activities because the volcanic ash is still thick,” he said.

Cianjur Regent Mohammad Wahyu Ferdian said two fire engines had been deployed since Sunday to wash and clean volcanic ash clinging to roads and public facilities along the protocol roads through to government offices.

The effort is intended to ensure that the fallen volcanic ash does not stick and become airborne, which would affect public health, particularly road users carrying out their daily activities.

“The clean-up will continue until there is information from BMKG and BNPB regarding the spread of volcanic ash. While it is still falling, spraying will be carried out so that the volcanic ash does not cause health problems for the community,” he said.