Mount Anak Krakatau Ash Falls on Serang, Raising Health Concerns

Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau began falling on coastal areas of Serang Regency in Indonesia’s Banten province on Saturday night, irritating residents’ eyes and throats and affecting school activities.

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There was a lot of dust starting at five in the evening. When riding my motorcycle, my eyes would hurt if I didn't wear a helmet. The dust stuck to my body, making it uncomfortable. There was even a lot of dust settling on the floor in front of my house.

Sanan, a 42-year-old resident of Kampung Pasauran Satu, said the ash intensified at around 5 p.m. He told reporters that motorcycle riders felt pain in their eyes without helmets, while dust settled on his body and the floor outside his home. Continuous rumbling and tremors had persisted since Friday night, prompting him to visit the volcano observation post in Pasauran to check the safety situation himself.

Ajat Sudrajat, principal of SDN Pasir Menteng in Cinangka District, also went to the post to obtain information for students and their parents. He said traveling without a mask caused throat irritation and that his eyes stung without glasses. Although the ash was difficult to see in the air, it had accumulated around the observation post.

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On the way here, not wearing a mask caused considerable throat irritation, and my eyes stung if I didn't wear glasses. Although the ash isn't clearly visible in the air, you can see it piling up here at the Krakatau observation post.

Ajat said the eruption had caused anxiety and contributed to low student attendance, particularly because outdoor activities had become uncomfortable. He also said most Pasauran residents regarded the rumbling and tremors as common natural phenomena. Some residents, however, had moved to higher ground as a precaution. Authorities also temporarily closed Soekarno-Hatta Airport because of the ash, disrupting 33 domestic and international flights.

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The community remains safe, as these occurrences are common and natural for the people of Pasauran. However, there are indeed some residents who have taken the initiative to move to higher ground for safety.