Latest Update on Volcanic Ash from the Anak Krakatau Eruption

Volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait had not entirely dispersed by Monday (7/9), even though the continuous eruption episode lasting around 25 hours had ended.

The volcanic material was still detected spreading across a number of regions and affecting people’s activities. The spread of ash even disrupted operations at several airports.

Several regions, including Lampung, Banten and DKI Jakarta, also decided to implement distance learning (PJJ) for pupils as a result of the incident.

CNNIndonesia.com has compiled the latest updates on the impact of volcanic ash from the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, as follows:

Mount Anak Krakatau Activity

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the 25-hour continuous eruption episode of Mount Anak Krakatau had ended. The volcano was showing eruptive activity with a pattern of mild explosions occurring periodically.

Nevertheless, the Head of the ESDM Geological Agency, Lana Saria, said volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau remained under continuous monitoring because the seismicity level was still high.

“The probability of an eruption occurring in the coming periods is still high, with hazards in the form of incandescent rock ejections accompanied by heavy ash rain, as well as the potential for lava flows if a continuous eruption recurs,” she said on Monday.

Lana urged the public not to enter or conduct activities within a 3 km radius of Mount Anak Krakatau’s centre of activity, and to remain vigilant against the hazards of pyroclastic clouds, lava, incandescent rock ejections and heavy ash rain.

Overstay Extensions for Foreign Nationals

In the wake of the eruption, the Directorate General of Immigration extended the length of stay by up to 30 days for affected foreign nationals (WNA).

“The granting of Forced Circumstance Stay Permits (ITKT) with a maximum validity of 30 days, which can be extended if needed in accordance with the regulations,” the Directorate General of Immigration wrote on Instagram on Monday.

In addition to the extended stay, the Directorate General of Immigration also waived overstay fees arising from the emergency conditions. This provision requires a report from the foreign national concerned, attaching a letter of explanation from the airline or the local airport authority.

“A fee rate of Rp0 applies to foreign nationals experiencing overstay due to these circumstances, by attaching a letter of explanation from the airline or airport authority,” the Directorate General of Immigration wrote.

Furthermore, the Directorate General of Immigration urged foreign nationals to visit the nearest immigration office to report themselves and bring the required documents to obtain the extended stay as well as the Rp0 overstay fee.

Umrah Pilgrim Mitigation

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) asked Umrah Travel Organisers (PPIU) to ensure the safety of Umrah pilgrims currently stranded in Saudi Arabia following airport closures caused by the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption.

Kemenhaj asked all associations to take mitigation steps immediately and ensure all affected pilgrims continue to receive services and assistance until their journeys can be resumed safely.

“PPIUs must ensure every pilgrim receives fast, clear and accurate information regarding flight status and the handling being carried out,” said the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation Development, Puji Raharjo, in his statement on Monday.

According to Puji, pilgrim safety must be the priority in every decision concerning departures, returns, transit, schedule changes and flight route changes.

Kemenhaj asked PPIUs to actively coordinate with airlines, airport operators, aviation authorities, service providers in Saudi Arabia and other relevant parties.

“PPIUs must ensure pilgrims’ needs remain met, including accommodation, meals, transport, assistance and other basic needs until the journey can be continued,” he said.

Meanwhile, for pilgrims due to depart for the Holy Land, PPIUs were asked to postpone departures until there is certainty regarding flights and the readiness of all travel services.

“We ask PPIUs not to force departures before there is confirmation from airlines and aviation authorities. Pilgrim safety must be the primary consideration,” said Puji.

Prabowo Increases Mitigation Funds

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto intends to allocate a larger budget for the disaster mitigation sector. He conveyed this during a limited meeting on natural disaster management held virtually on Monday.

“For the government I lead, the budget allocation for disaster mitigation must be increased significantly,” Prabowo said in his address.

Prabowo said the string of natural disasters in Indonesia was a geographical consequence of Indonesia’s location on the Ring of Fire. He said this geographical consequence required the government to be ready to face such situations at any time.

“The earthquake in Flores, then now the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, and also forest fires and haze, which remain a problem for us all,” Prabowo said.

PJJ in Jakarta Extended

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government extended its distance learning (PJJ) policy for one day due to the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the spread of volcanic ash in Jakarta had been detected as only slight. However, it was still detected in several areas.

“Right now the volcanic ash has actually declined remarkably. But it is still present in some areas, and we still need one more day to extend distance learning until tomorrow. So PJJ in Jakarta continues until tomorrow,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall on Monday.

Jakarta Air Quality

The DKI Jakarta Environment Agency (DLH) said air conditions in Jakarta showed improvement after water spraying was carried out following the spread of volcanic ash from the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption.

“Air quality monitoring on 6-7 September 2026 indicates an improvement in particulate distribution after spraying was carried out. The most visible change occurred in the distribution of PM10 particles, which were previously recorded as high across a number of Jakarta areas,” said the Head of the DKI Jakarta Environment Agency, Dudi Gardesi, in his statement.

Based on monitoring reports, the spread of high-concentration PM10, previously widespread in Central Jakarta, East Jakarta and South Jakarta, became more limited after spraying.

Meanwhile, areas of high PM10 after spraying were mainly identified in eastern Cilincing and southeastern Cipayung.

“The narrowing of high PM10 distribution is a welcome development. This data also helps us identify areas that still require attention, so that subsequent handling can be more targeted,” he said.

Dudi explained that the spraying was carried out to dampen volcanic ash that had settled on roads and other surfaces. This is because ash in dry conditions can become airborne again due to wind gusts or vehicle movement.

By wetting the ash deposits, he said, the particles are expected not to be easily lifted back into the air and to be easier to clean, in line with volcanic ash handling guidelines published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).