Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts flights and degrades air quality

A powerful eruption from an Indonesian volcano sent a massive plume of ash high into the atmosphere on Tuesday, prompting aviation authorities to cancel or reroute thousands of flights across the region. The sudden discharge of volcanic material forced the closure of airspace over several major airports, including Jakarta and Surabaya, and disrupted international routes connecting Southeast Asia with Europe and the Middle East. Officials from the national disaster agency reported that ashfall was detected as far as 200 kilometers from the vent, prompting health warnings for residents in the surrounding districts.

The ash cloud also led to a measurable decline in air quality, with particulate matter concentrations spiking to levels deemed hazardous by the World Health Organization. Local governments have issued advisories urging people to limit outdoor activities and to use protective masks. Monitoring teams continue to track the volcano’s activity, and meteorological services are providing regular updates on ash dispersion to mitigate further impacts on transportation and public health.