Prabowo Urges Calm, Safety Compliance Near Anak Krakatau

President Prabowo Calls for Vigilance as Anak Krakatau Eruption Threatens Sunda Strait Communities

Tempatdonasi.com – Mount Anak Krakatau, the restless volcanic island rising from the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has once again reminded millions of Indonesians of the geological forces that shape their archipelago. Following renewed eruptive activity at the volcano, President Prabowo Subianto issued a public appeal on Sunday, September 6, asking residents of Jakarta, Banten, Lampung, and coastal communities along the strait to stay composed while sharpening their awareness of potential hazards.

The statement, released from Jakarta, carried a clear directive: citizens should heed every instruction issued by government officials and field personnel, keep well clear of the volcanic zone, and observe all danger-zone boundaries and safety perimeters that authorities have delineated. The President framed his message as one of solidarity with those living in the eruption’s shadow.

“To our brothers and sisters in Jakarta, Banten, Lampung, and the areas surrounding the Sunda Strait, please remain calm, increase your vigilance, and follow all directions from the government and officers in the field. Do not approach the Mount Anak Krakatau area, and fully comply with the danger zones and safety limits established by authorities.”

Coordinated Government Response

Prabowo confirmed that the state is tracking the volcano’s behavior around the clock and receiving periodic briefings from the agencies tasked with volcanic and meteorological monitoring. He disclosed that he has personally ordered a broad coalition of institutions to sustain uninterrupted oversight of the situation. Those bodies include the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), provincial and municipal governments, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transportation, and other ministries and agencies with relevant mandates.

Every one of those entities has been instructed to maintain full operational readiness and to deliver whatever protection, evacuation support, or logistical assistance the public may require as conditions evolve. The scale of the coordination reflects the fact that Anak Krakatau sits astrit one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors; ash plumes and seismic swells can disrupt shipping, aviation, and coastal livelihoods within hours of an eruption event.

Health Guidance for Ash-Affected Areas

For residents already experiencing volcanic ashfall, the President offered specific protective advice. He urged people to shield their respiratory systems by wearing masks or other forms of respiratory protection, to limit time spent outdoors when ash concentrations grow dense, and to follow the guidance of health workers and local government officials.

“Protect your health by wearing masks or respiratory protection, minimize outdoor activities if the ash is thick, and follow the instructions of health officials and local governments.”

Volcanic ash, composed of pulverized rock and glass fragments, can irritate lungs, eyes, and skin, and in heavy concentrations it has been linked to respiratory infections, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. Public health authorities in Indonesia have previously issued similar advisories after eruptions at Merapi, Sinabung, and other active volcanoes, underscoring that ash exposure is a manageable but genuine health risk when proper precautions are ignored.

Background: A Young Volcano in a Crowded Strait

Anak Krakatau — literally “child of Krakatau” — first appeared in 1883, born from the submarine caldera left by the catastrophic eruption of Krakatau, one of the deadliest volcanic events in recorded history. Over the following century the island grew, shrank, and re-emerged several times, making it one of the most dynamically active volcanic features in the region. Its location roughly midway between the densely populated western tip of Java and the southern coast of Sumatra means that even moderate eruptions can send ash drifting over major cities, ports, and airports. In recent years, flank collapses of the island have generated tsunamis that struck nearby shores, reminding communities that the hazard extends beyond simple ashfall.

The proximity of Jakarta — Indonesia’s capital and largest metropolitan area, home to roughly ten million people — to the strait amplifies the public-safety stakes. Air traffic over the corridor, ferry services connecting the two islands, and fishing operations all depend on clear skies and calm seas above the volcanic zone.

Continued Oversight and a Call for Solidarity

Prabowo stressed that he will personally continue to supervise the situation and will take every measure and decision necessary to safeguard Indonesian citizens. He closed his remarks with an appeal for communal prayer: that God protect all Indonesians, especially those dwelling near the volcano and along the strait’s shores, and that communities elsewhere in the country currently grappling with natural disasters and hardship be granted resilience and strength to endure their trials.

As monitoring continues and agencies assess whether the eruptive phase will intensify, subside, or shift in character, residents in the affected corridor are advised to keep updated on official advisories, maintain basic emergency supplies, and avoid speculation-driven travel toward the island. The message from the presidency is unambiguous: vigilance without panic, compliance without confusion, and mutual care for neighbors who share the same volcanic horizon.