BMKG records 1,598 aftershocks in NTT, largest at M6.2

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has recorded 1,598 aftershocks as of Monday at 07.00 WIB, following the M7.7 main earthquake that shook East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (15/8).

BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday that the largest aftershock was recorded at M6.2 and the smallest at M1.3, while 54 tremors were felt by the public.

“Yes, as of 7 o’clock this morning, 1,598 aftershocks have been recorded, with the largest magnitude at 6.2, the smallest at 1.3, and around 54 felt earthquakes,” he said.

Teuku Faisal said BMKG continues to monitor aftershock activity and its decay process following the main earthquake. According to him, aftershock activity is expected to gradually subside over the next two to three weeks.

“We continue to monitor the decay process. It is likely to subside within the next 2-3 weeks,” he said.

Teuku Faisal said monitoring the aftershock decay process is necessary as one consideration in determining recovery measures for affected buildings. Once aftershock activity has subsided further, he said, repairs or strengthening of buildings can be carried out by considering the condition and level of damage of each building.

“So we can begin retrofitting or repairing buildings, or rebuilding if necessary,” he said.

BMKG has also deployed teams to the earthquake-affected areas in NTT. According to Teuku Faisal, there are three BMKG technical implementation units (UPT) on Flores Island as well as two monitoring posts supporting seismic activity monitoring in the region.

“In NTT, our team has now moved to the location. There are even three UPTs or BMKG offices on Flores Island and also two of our posts there,” he said.

BMKG personnel in the field are coordinating with local governments, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and search and rescue teams to support post-earthquake handling.

Teuku Faisal said BMKG has personnel spread across 191 locations in Indonesia, enabling immediate coordination with local governments when an earthquake disaster occurs.

The M7.7 main earthquake shook NTT on Saturday (15/8) and briefly triggered a tsunami early warning. BMKG subsequently ended the tsunami early warning after monitoring results showed conditions had met the criteria for lifting the warning.