Dudy Purwagandhi reports that volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has disrupted thousands of flights and closed eight Indonesian airports.
Dudy Purwagandhi, the Indonesian transport minister, reported that volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano has caused the closure of eight airports across Java and Sumatra. The eruption, which began late on Friday, blanketed the capital city of Jakarta and surrounding areas, forcing the suspension of nearly 3,000 flights and affecting 170,000 passengers. Meteorological data shows that ash reached altitudes of 6,000 meters to the east and 15,000 meters to the west of the volcano. The transport ministry stated that the closure of Jakarta's main airport and six other airports serving nearby provinces remained in effect early Monday morning. The volcano monitoring agency warned that the probability of further eruptions remains high. In response to the ashfall, schools in Jakarta and Lampung moved to remote learning to protect students from respiratory health risks. Port authorities also established a 3km exclusion zone around the volcano, prohibiting vessels from approaching the area to ensure navigation safety.
Sources
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Anak Krakatau Rumbles Again
NASA Science (.gov)
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Volcano eruption in Indonesia leaves 170,000 travellers stranded as seven airports remain closed
The Guardian
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Indonesia reopens Jakarta airport as Anak Krakatau volcanic ash clears
CNN