The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) initiated a weather modification operation on Sunday to combat volcanic ash resulting from Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption. This effort aims to either induce rain to wash away ash or use water mist to disperse hazardous particles in affected areas like Jakarta, Banten, and Lampung. The action follows a 25-hour continuous eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau that concluded early Sunday morning, leaving the volcano at Level III (Alert) status.
Tackling Volcanic Ash with Weather Modification
The BNPB launched its weather modification operation on Sunday, with an aircraft prepared at Pondok Cabe, according to Suharyanto, the head of BNPB. The agency plans to continue this operation until the evening.
Suharyanto explained that two distinct weather modification techniques have been prepared. The primary method involves enhancing rain when sufficient cloud cover is present.
“Today we are implementing weather modification. The aircraft is ready in Pondok Cabe and we will implement the operation until the evening,” Suharyanto informed during a press conference on Sunday.
He further elaborated on the objective, stating that inducing rain is crucial. If ample rainfall occurs, it can efficiently wash away the volcanic ash.
“The aim is to induce rain. If sufficient rain falls, the volcanic ash can quickly be washed away,” he explained.
The secondary technique employs the water mist method to disperse dangerous ash when rain clouds are unavailable. This approach has been coordinated with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
“In Jakarta, Banten, and Lampung, we have agreed with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to use the water mist method to disperse hazardous ash in the absence of rain clouds,” Suharyanto continued.
Mount Anak Krakatau’s Activity and Ongoing Monitoring
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) is maintaining continuous monitoring of Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity in the Sunda Strait. This comes after the volcano experienced a continuous eruption lasting 25 hours.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency confirmed that the eruption had ceased. However, Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity level remains at Level III, or Alert.
The continuous eruption earthquake episode commenced on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:07 p.m. It eventually concluded on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 12:04 a.m. local time.
Despite the end of the continuous eruption, Mount Anak Krakatau is still active. There is a relatively high risk of subsequent eruptions, which could potentially cause incandescent rock ejections, heavy ashfall, and lava flows.
BNPB’s Response and Local Government Status
Suharyanto noted that, as of now, none of the affected district and provincial governments in Banten and Lampung have declared an emergency status. This indicates that while the situation is being managed, it hasn’t escalated to an official emergency declaration by local authorities.
Nonetheless, BNPB has dispatched teams to Banten and Lampung. These teams are tasked with directly monitoring the situation on the ground, assessing the impact of Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption on local communities.
In addition to monitoring, the BNPB will also verify the availability of food supplies. They plan to check logistics warehouses owned by the relevant district and provincial governments to ensure preparedness.
