Jakarta Police Deploy Water Cannons to Clear Volcanic Ash Layers
Jakarta police use high-capacity water cannons to remove hazardous volcanic ash in Central Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi to protect public health.
JAKARTA — The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have deployed Mobile Brigade (Brimob) units across the capital and its satellite cities, including South Tangerang and Bekasi, to clear thick layers of volcanic ash from major thoroughfares. The operation utilizes heavy-duty armored water cannons to wash away hazardous material and mitigate the impact of poor air quality on urban commuters and residents.
Police Senior Commissioner Henik Maryanto, commander of the Jakarta Police Mobile Brigade, confirmed that units are utilizing armored water cannons with 6,000-liter capacities to conduct large-scale cleanup operations. "We have mobilized our personnel and available assets to perform remediation along several major traffic arteries," Henik told reporters on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
The deployment is structured across four distinct geographic zones to ensure strategic coverage. Battalion A is focused on the heart of Central Jakarta, including critical corridors stretching from the Horse Statue and Bank Indonesia to the Sarinah and Bundaran HI areas. This effort aims to reduce the density of fine ash particles settling on the city’s primary transit routes.
Strategic Cleanup and Public Health Efforts
Additional battalions have been assigned to cover broader urban zones. Battalion B is currently clearing the Cipinang to Pulogadung corridor, while Battalion C is deployed to clear sections of Jalan RE Martadinata and the Pondok Cabe Raya area in South Tangerang. Meanwhile, Battalion D is operating in the Tegal Danas district of Central Cikarang, Bekasi, which has also seen significant ash accumulation.
Beyond physical cleanup, the Mobile Brigade is operating as a public health support unit. Throughout the deployment, officers are distributing masks to pedestrians and commuters while using loudspeaker systems to broadcast safety instructions. The police mandate includes urging the public to maintain caution, prioritize respiratory protection, and adhere to official health directives issued by the local government.
While these localized cleaning efforts cannot fully neutralize the atmospheric impact of regional volcanic activity, they are designed to significantly lower the concentration of airborne particles at street level. By wetting the road surfaces, authorities aim to prevent ash from becoming airborne again, thereby reducing the immediate risk of respiratory illness for thousands of residents traveling through these industrial and commercial hubs. This coordinated response highlights the regional nature of environmental emergencies, where specialized police units must cross administrative boundaries to maintain urban functionality.
