BNPB launches weather modification to address Anak Krakatau ash spread

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is conducting a weather modification operation on Sunday to tackle volcanic ash impacted by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

“Today we are implementing weather modification. The aircraft is ready in Pondok Cabe and we will implement the operation until the evening,” the head of BNPB, Suharyanto, informed during a press conference on Sunday.

According to him, two weather modification techniques have been prepared, with rain enhancement being the first option when clouds are available.

“The aim is to induce rain. If sufficient rain falls, the volcanic ash can quickly be washed away,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the second technique involves using water mist to disperse hazardous ash when clouds are unavailable.

“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.

He explained that to date, none of the affected district and provincial governments in Banten and Lampung have declared an emergency.

However, his office has sent teams to Banten and Lampung to directly monitor the situation on the ground regarding the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau and its impact on the community.

The BNPB will also check the availability of food in logistics warehouses owned by the relevant district and provincial governments.

Meanwhile, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) ensures continued monitoring on the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait after experiencing a continuous eruption for 25 hours.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency said the eruption had ended, but Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity level remained at Level III, or Alert.

The continuous eruption earthquake episode began on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:07 p.m. and ended on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 12:04 a.m. local time.

Although the continuous eruption has ended, Mount Anak Krakatau remains active, with a relatively high risk of further eruptions that could cause incandescent rock ejections, heavy ashfall, and lava flows.