Communities in Tsunami Alert and Warning Zones Urged to Avoid Coastal Areas

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged communities in several regions currently under tsunami alert and warning statuses to move away from coastal areas following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Philippine waters.

The ‘Alert’ status covers regions including Minahasa, Bolaangmongondow, Manado, North Minahasa, South Minahasa, Buol, Sangihe Islands, Gorontalo, Talaud Islands, Minahasa Islands, Toli-toli, Palu, Donggala, Ternate, and Bitung. Meanwhile, the ‘Warning’ status applies to Tidore, Bulungan, Nunukan, Halmahera, Tarakan, North Halmahera, East Kutai, South Minahasa, Bontang, and Berau.

“We urge communities in these areas to remain calm, increase full vigilance, and proactively carry out self-anticipatory steps by moving away from coastal areas towards safe assembly points, according to the threat level in their region,” said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, in a written statement on Monday.

Based on tsunami impact modelling by the BMKG, local governments at the provincial, regency, and city levels within ‘Alert’ zones have been instructed to immediately direct their citizens to conduct orderly evacuations to higher ground. The estimated arrival times for waves in North Sulawesi range from 06:51 WIB in the Sangihe Islands to 07:22 WIB in Northern Bolaang Mongondow. Other affected areas include parts of Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi.

For local governments and communities in ‘Warning’ status areas, the BNPB has requested that preparedness be maintained by directing residents to avoid coastal and riverside areas and to temporarily suspend all maritime activities. This includes regions such as the Talaud Islands, Bitung, Halmahera, Donggala, and parts of East Kalimantan.

Muhari confirmed that the current situation on the ground is being monitored and remains under control. Rapid reports from the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in the Talaud Islands and Manado indicate that the earthquake tremors were felt only weakly for approximately 2 to 3 seconds. Joint BPBD teams are continuing to conduct regular field monitoring to assess any post-earthquake impacts and ensure coastal safety. The BNPB is also strengthening coordination with various agencies, including the TNI, Polri, Basarnas, and humanitarian volunteers, to guide and secure evacuation routes.