BNPB: Infrastructure affected by M7.7 NTT earthquake gradually recovering
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that infrastructure affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is gradually recovering.
During an online press conference in Jakarta on Monday, Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, said that electricity supply in West Flores and East Flores, sourced from 11 affected transformers, is now 100 percent operational again.
“A total of 566,797 customers were affected by the earthquake. Currently, 99.5 percent have been recovered, with the remaining 2,732 customers still requiring attention. We hope that in the coming days these remaining customers can be fully restored,” he said.
Berton noted that for the telecommunications network managed by PT Telkom on Flores Island, the overall recovery rate has reached 95.4 percent, with remaining work focused on East Manggarai, which is still at 76.3 percent.
Road access across NTT is now generally passable, although still on a limited basis.
“Although there are no reports, the joint Basarnas team continues to carry out search efforts and is still deploying personnel optimally in the affected areas,” he said.
In the health sector, which is a key concern, Berton explained that the Ministry of Health responded quickly by sending two field hospital units to Ruteng in Manggarai Regency and Nagekeo Regency.
The Ministry of Health also dispatched two health crisis management teams to oversee field coordination, stationed in Sikka and Ende Regencies respectively. In addition, two Emergency Medical Teams were deployed, with the first team focused on Ende, Nagekeo and West Manggarai, while the second team was focused on Sikka Regency.
To accelerate evacuation and logistics distribution in difficult terrain, the government has deployed 1,467 joint personnel from the TNI, Polri and other agencies to work at full capacity in the field. These efforts are supported by 10 units of defence equipment or air assets, with five units on standby in Labuan Bajo and five in Maumere.
Separately, the Indonesian government has affirmed its commitment to accelerating emergency response and post-earthquake recovery following the M 7.7 earthquake that struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that the presence of ministers and agency heads in NTT since the first day of the incident reflects the government’s concern and commitment to supporting affected communities.
“Since the first day of the incident we have been in NTT to inspect the field and discuss accelerating recovery,” said the Coordinating Minister.