Jakarta, Sept. 7 -- Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is preparing weather modification operations to help washing away volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption, which has spread across parts of Greater Jakarta, Banten, and Lampung.

BNPB Head Suharyanto said in Jakarta on Monday the operations will begin once weather conditions and flight safety permit, noting the volcanic ash has disrupted operations at several airports.

"Once the conditions are more favorable, we will launch the operation. The aircraft are ready at Pondok Cabe (airport)," he said.

He noted weather modification or cloud seeding is one of the government's measures to help clearing volcanic ash from the atmosphere by triggering rain. Additio...