Health authorities warn ash exposure can worsen respiratory, cardiovascular, eye, and skin conditions.
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has spread across parts of western Indonesia, prompting health authorities to warn millions of elderly residents to take extra precautions as the volcano remains at Level III alert status.
3.3 Million Elderly People at Risk
Indonesia’s Health Ministry estimates that about 3.3 million elderly people living in areas affected by Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash face increased health risks. The vulnerable population includes elderly residents in Banten, South Lampung, Jakarta, and parts of West Java, where ash spread during September 2026. Health officials stressed that older people are among the groups particularly vulnerable to the health effects of volcanic ash.
Volcanic Ash Can Damage Lungs and Eyes
Health Ministry Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups Imran Pambudi warned that volcanic ash contains sharp silica particles capable of irritating the lungs, eyes, and skin. Exposure can trigger acute respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and worsen asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Authorities also warned of increased cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, particularly among vulnerable residents.
Elderly Residents Face Additional Health Effects
Prolonged exposure can also cause sore or watery eyes and skin irritation, while elderly people may experience confusion and reduced concentration. Sudden evacuation and social isolation can add to the psychological burden faced by elderly people during an eruption emergency. Pambudi noted that volcanic ash can produce immediate health effects, while smoke from forest and land fires typically creates longer-term respiratory and cardiovascular impacts.
Authorities Urge Stronger Household Protection
Residents in affected areas are advised to wear protective masks and eyewear, keep doors and windows sealed, and prevent ash from entering homes. Authorities also cautioned that ash can harden when mixed with water, making improper cleaning potentially hazardous. Families caring for elderly relatives should keep essential medication available, monitor symptoms, and seek medical treatment if serious breathing or cardiovascular problems appear.
Anak Krakatau Remains on Alert
Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has remained at Level III, or Alert, since July 2, the second-highest level in Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic warning system. A three-kilometer exclusion zone remains in place around the volcano. Anak Krakatau has erupted repeatedly over the past two decades, including the 2018 event associated with a deadly Sunda Strait tsunami that killed more than 400 people.
The Anak Krakatau eruption highlights how volcanic disasters can create health threats far beyond the immediate exclusion zone, particularly for elderly people and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Indonesians in affected provinces should closely follow official health and volcanic warnings, while Singaporeans may also want to monitor developments because major eruptions in western Indonesia can disrupt regional aviation and travel across the Singapore-Jakarta corridor.
Sources: NST (2026) , EN Antara (2026)
Keywords: Anak Krakatau Eruption, Volcanic Ash Indonesia, Elderly Health Risks, Banten Volcanic Ash, South Lampung, Indonesia Volcano Alert
