Jakarta: Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response status following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores Island, according to a provincial government decree.
The emergency response period will run from August 15 to August 28, said the decree issued by East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena.
The earthquake was centred about 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 km, according to the decree.
51 Killed, Over 100 Injured
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said the earthquake and 341 aftershocks had left 51 people dead and 113 others injured.
A total of 3,356 people were taking refuge in Sikka, 2,078 in Manggarai and 500 in Nagekeo, while others were displaced in Bima and Selayar.
The earthquake damaged 914 houses heavily, 126 moderately and 317 lightly. It also damaged 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities and 38 government offices.
The provincial government said the emergency response status would facilitate disaster response, evacuation, relief distribution and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
Roads Blocked, Relief Operations Underway
Governor Melki Laka Lena told a press conference in Kupang on Saturday that some roads had been cut off or blocked by landslides.
The National Disaster Management Agency has dispatched food and other relief supplies to affected areas, including supplies from a logistics warehouse in East Flores Regency. Relief materials are also being sent from Jakarta via Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.
Several flights in East Nusa Tenggara province were cancelled following the earthquake.
The earthquake, centred near Mbay town in Nagekeo Regency, struck early Saturday and triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
Rescue teams are continuing to assess casualties and damage across the affected areas.