Volcanic Ash from Anak Krakatau Still Blankets West Java, BPBD Issues Advisory

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Region II has detected that volcanic ash from the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau has covered parts of Jakarta, Banten and West Java as of Sunday (6/9) at 09.00 WIB. This finding is based on analysis of Himawari-9 RGB satellite imagery.

Responding to this condition, the Head of the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Teten Ali, issued a number of advisories for the public to minimise health impacts from volcanic ash fall.

“If volcanic ash fall occurs, the public is advised to wear masks to protect their respiratory tracts. In addition, use glasses or eye protection when doing activities outside the home,” said Teten on Sunday (6/9).

Teten also asked residents to reduce outdoor activities while ash fall is ongoing. He recommended that doors, windows and home ventilation be tightly closed to reduce ash entering indoor spaces. “Avoid driving if visibility is impaired,” he added.

The public was also reminded to clean ash carefully without shaking it so that it does not become airborne again. BPBD asked residents to continue monitoring official information from PVMBG/Geological Agency, BMKG and local BPBD.

In addition to the ash distribution, BMKG Bandung Geophysical Station also followed up on public reports regarding booming sounds heard in the Greater Bandung area on Saturday (5/9) in the early hours, around 00.30–05.00 WIB. Based on monitoring data checks, the following are points from BMKG’s analysis:

Head of the Bandung Class I Geophysical Station, Dr. Suaidi Ahadi, emphasised that the booming sounds did not indicate any earthquake occurrence in the Greater Bandung area. Local weather phenomena were also assessed as not significant enough to trigger the sounds.

“The eruption activity of Mount Anak Krakatau was indeed detected from satellite imagery and significant lightning activity around GAK. However, because the wind direction during the eruption blew from East to West, the booming sounds likely originated from another source and still require further study,” concluded Suaidi.

BMKG is committed to continuously monitoring seismic activity, the earth’s magnetic field and atmospheric conditions, as well as coordinating with relevant agencies to provide comprehensive information to the public.