Jakarta ends Car Free Day early as Anak Krakatau ash reaches the capital

Jakarta’s Car Free Day ended at 9 a.m. on Sunday, an hour earlier than planned, after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau began affecting the capital. The Jakarta Transportation Agency said the decision aimed to prevent public exposure to the ash.

The event had been scheduled to run until 10 a.m. Officials waited for the Amarta Run and ASN Run activities to finish, then ended the entire Motor Vehicle-Free Day program. Agency officers distributed masks and told residents to go home immediately and avoid further outdoor activity.

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Once the Amarta Run and ASN Run activities concluded at 09:00 WIB, we immediately ended the entire HBKB program. This step is a preventive measure to protect the public from potential exposure to volcanic ash.

Budi Awaluddin, head of the Jakarta Transportation Agency, urged people to remain calm. He advised residents to wear masks if they had to go outside and to follow official updates on the volcanic ash and air quality.

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We urge residents to return home right away. We encourage the public to minimize outdoor activities.

The ash also disrupted air travel. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport temporarily closed early Sunday after a paper test conducted between 12:35 a.m. and 1:05 a.m. detected volcanic ash. Civil aviation officials said they were coordinating with airlines, airport managers, air navigation services and the meteorological agency over the impact on flights.

Residents in Lampung, Banten and West Java reported tremors and rumbling sounds from Friday night into Saturday morning. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said the sounds came from an eruption at Anak Krakatau at 10:17 p.m. on Friday. The center said the eruption had not created a danger requiring a change in the volcano’s activity status, which remained at Level III.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation continues to conduct intensive monitoring and coordination with flight operators, airport managers, air navigation services, and the BMKG regarding the impact of Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruptive activity on flight operations, particularly at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).