Ash from Anak Krakatau prompts Banten residents to wear masks

Banten Governor Andra Soni urged residents to wear masks after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau spread across the province. He also told residents, fishermen and tourists to stay outside the 3-kilometer exclusion zone.

“

Residents are asked to stay away from the recommended radius, three kilometers from the site.

Soni said people in affected areas should wear masks when going outdoors because of the ash. The Banten provincial government, through its disaster management agency, is monitoring the volcano and coordinating with volcanic activity observers in Bandung.

“

Because there is ash, people in affected areas are asked to wear masks when they go outside to protect themselves.

He said wind was carrying the ash toward Banten and West Java. “We are continuing to monitor it. Through BPBD, BPBD is coordinating with the observers in Bandung,” Soni said. “The wind is carrying the ash to areas of Banten and West Java. We pray that everything will be all right.”

“

We are continuing to monitor it. Through BPBD, BPBD is coordinating with the observers in Bandung.

The eruption began on the night of September 4. According to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency, ash had reached Jakarta, Banten and West Java by September 6. An analysis at 4 a.m. identified two ash-distribution clusters. The first moved toward Jakarta, Banten and West Java, with ash observed from the surface up to 20,000 feet and extending over surrounding waters.

“

The wind is carrying the ash to areas of Banten and West Java. We pray that everything will be all right.