Ministry Urges Public to Stay Calm Yet Vigilant Amid Anak Krakatau Eruption

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, urged the public to remain calm while not lowering their vigilance following the increased eruptive activity of Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait. She also asked the public to ensure that any information they receive comes from trustworthy sources.

The appeal was delivered by Meutya in Jakarta on Sunday, 6 September 2026. “The most important thing is to stay calm, but not to lower our vigilance. The public needs to follow directions from the relevant authorities and make sure the information they receive comes from a reliable source,” Meutya said.

Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activity has increased significantly since Friday night, 4 September, with the volcano’s alert status now at Level III, or Watch (Siaga). Volcanic ash from the eruption has spread to several regions, including Banten, Jakarta, and West Java, directly affecting daily activities in those areas.

The eruption has also caused several flights to be cancelled and has stirred public concern over the potential risk of a tsunami. In addition, booming sounds and tremors felt in parts of West Java due to the volcano’s activity have caused unease among local residents.

Responding to the situation, Meutya asked the public to monitor developments regarding Anak Krakatau’s activity and the spread of volcanic ash through official government channels, such as PVMBG (the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation), BMKG (the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency), BNPB (the National Disaster Management Agency), local governments, and other related institutions, in order to avoid misinformation.

She also stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it. “In a situation like this, false information can cause panic. That’s why we must filter before we share. Make sure the information we receive comes from an official, accountable source,” she affirmed.

For residents in areas affected by volcanic ash, Meutya outlined several protective measures: wearing an N95 or KN95 mask when engaging in outdoor activities, using protective eyewear and avoiding contact lenses, limiting time spent outdoors, reducing driving speed given lower visibility and slippery road surfaces, and washing hands and face after outdoor activity while ensuring clean water sources remain protected from ash contamination.

Meutya further reminded the public, tourists, and fishermen to avoid approaching Anak Krakatau or conducting any activity within a 3-kilometer radius of the active crater, in line with PVMBG’s recommendation. “Safety comes first. There is no need to panic, but we must always stay alert and protect our safety and health,” she concluded.