Environment minister urges vigilance as Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts communities

Indonesia’s Environment Ministry has deployed a rapid-response team to assess the ecological impact of Mount Anak Krakatau’s recent eruption in the Sunda Strait, as volcanic activity disrupts some community activities.

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The Environment Ministry continues to intensively monitor the ecological impacts of Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait.

Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat said the government’s immediate priorities were to reduce environmental effects and protect people living near the volcano. Officials are measuring ambient air quality and monitoring seawater along the coastal areas of Banten and Lampung.

The tests aim to determine how far the eruption and volcanic ash have affected the environment and natural resources that support coastal communities. Jumhur urged residents in affected areas to remain calm but alert, use masks when outdoors and follow guidance from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency and its Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

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We urge people in affected areas to remain calm, always use masks when carrying out activities outdoors, and follow the guidance of BNPB and PVMBG.

He also asked local governments to secure residents’ clean-water sources against ash contamination. The ministry said coastal ecosystem recovery and action on biological impacts would begin once volcanic activity has been declared stable.

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I also ask local governments to secure residents’ clean-water sources from volcanic-ash contamination.