Mount Anak Krakatau Erupts, BNPB Urges Public to Stay Calm

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged residents living in coastal areas of Banten and Lampung to remain calm amid concerns over a possible tsunami triggered by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau on Friday night, September 4.

Acting Head of the BNPB Center for Disaster Data, Information and Communication, Berton S.P. Panjaitan, said on Saturday that the government was closely monitoring the possibility of a tsunami triggered by volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau, which has raised concerns among the public.

The concerns are also linked to the tsunami that struck on December 22, 2018, which was triggered by volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau.

However, a study by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) found that the growth of Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic structure since 2018 has been relatively limited and does not pose a significant risk of a major collapse that could trigger a tsunami.

Berton said, “So, we hope people in Banten and Lampung do not panic.”

He said the eruption began at 11:07 p.m. local time on Friday and continued into Saturday morning. During the night, the eruption produced lava fountains and was accompanied by an earthquake.

The earthquake was recorded at 70 millimeters and lasted for up to 21,600 seconds.

The BNPB Operations Control Directorate reported that volcanic material ejected during the eruption damaged several monitoring devices, including cameras and CCTV systems, causing them to stop functioning.

As Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Level III (Alert), BNPB and PVMBG have urged nearby residents, fishermen and tourists to cease all activities within a three-kilometer radius of the active crater.

Berton also highlighted three key measures that need to be taken to manage the situation.

First, local governments and Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBDs) should ensure that the restricted area remains secure through regular patrols.

Second, they should ensure that evacuation routes and designated assembly points along the coast are ready for use.

Third, nearby residents have been urged not to approach the area simply to take photographs or videos of the eruption.

Source : https://en.antaranews.com/news/430005/bnpb-urges-public-not-to-panic-over-mount-anak-krakatau-eruption