Inp.polri.go.id - Cimahi. The Cimahi Sub-regional Police distributed protective face masks to students across several schools in West Java as volcanic ashfall from Mount Anak Krakatau drifted into the Greater Bandung region.

Building upon earlier mask distribution drives aimed at motorists, police officers extended protective health aid to school campuses to safeguard students from hazardous particulate exposure during daily outdoor learning activities.

"Following leadership directives on volcanic ash mitigation, we expanded mask distribution from road commuters to school children," Cimahi Police Chief Superintendent Moh. Faruk Rozi said on Monday, (7/9/2026). "We strongly advise students to wear face masks and protective eyewear to prevent respiratory damage and eye irritation."

Disaster expert Dr. Daryono from the Indonesian Disaster Experts Association (IABI) warned that volcanic ash consists of microscopic silica glass particles coated with acidic compounds, making it far more dangerous to human lungs than regular dust. 

In response to air quality risks, the West Java administration granted schools the autonomy to shift to online distance learning if local ash concentration threatens student health.

(mg/ad/pr/rs)