Anak Krakatau erupts again, grounding flights and shaking daily life in Indonesia

On the morning of September 6, the restless Anak Krakatau volcano—nestled in the narrow Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra—let out a sudden, 30‑second explosion, followed a few hours later by a shorter 16‑second blast. The sky above the strait briefly lit up with lava flares before a thick plume of ash began to drift eastward.

Within hours the ash had reached startling heights: about 20,000 feet over the Java side and an even higher ribbon, roughly 50,000 feet, sliding toward Sumatra and Banten. The fine particles are a nightmare for aircraft, capable of scratching turbine blades and choking engines, so authorities were quick to act.

Indonesia’s aviation regulator ordered the closure of seven airports, the most prominent being Jakarta’s Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport. The hub was told to stay shut at least until Monday evening, giving officials time to monitor both the weather and the volcanic plume. In total, more than 2,300 scheduled flights were hit, affecting roughly 270,000 passengers, according to Reuters.

Airlines scrambled to re‑book travellers, while passengers at the terminals faced long queues, sudden cancellations and a palpable sense of frustration. The Associated Press noted that on September 6 alone, eight airports saw over 1,500 flights disrupted and about 170,000 passengers stranded.

Life on the ground was no less chaotic. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency warned residents to wear masks, keep windows shut and avoid looking directly at the falling ash—especially those with respiratory issues. Schools in Jakarta and nearby districts moved many classes online, and fishing boats stayed moored as the ash‑laden water turned murky.

Local officials also reminded people to steer clear of the volcano’s slopes and to limit outdoor activities. Some residents reported irritated eyes and throats after the ash settled on their homes, a reminder that the danger isn’t limited to the skies.

Historically, Anak Krakatau carries a heavy legacy. It grew from the remnants of the legendary Krakatoa, whose 1883 eruption sparked massive tsunamis and claimed tens of thousands of lives. In December 2018, a sudden collapse of Anak Krakatau’s flank generated another deadly tsunami, killing more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.

Fortunately, the latest eruption has not resulted in any reported fatalities. Yet the government remains on high alert, continuing to monitor seismic activity and urging communities in the vicinity to stay vigilant.

For now, the priority is clear: get the ash out of the air, reopen the airports when it’s safe, and let everyday life in Java and Sumatra return to a quieter rhythm.