Losses from East Java earthquake reach Rp 3.5b

Losses from East Java earthquake reach Rp 3.5b

JAKARTA (JP): Monday's earthquake in East Java caused
estimated losses of at least Rp 3.5 billion (US$325,000), East
Java Governor Imam Utomo said on Wednesday during a visit to part
of the worst-hit area in the Malang regency.

The earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale was also
felt in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara. A second tremor occurred
early on Tuesday. A 40-year-old woman died when hit by falling
debris and hundreds were left homeless.

Antara quoted provisional data supplied by the East Java
natural disaster task force which showed the earthquake damaged
427 houses in Bali and East Java, of which 190 collapsed.

Sumbermanjing Wetan district estimated losses of Rp 1.7
billion. The governor visited families there and symbolically
distributed Rp 50 million in aid and seven tons of rice to
residents of 10 villages.

Imam pledged more aid for residents if they asked for funds to
rebuild their homes.

"We still have to list the people's needs. The important
things are the provision of food and the continuation of
children's schooling, " he said.

He said the administration had so far allocated Rp 1 billion
to help victims.

The earthquakes followed an earlier one measuring 5.7 on the
Richter scale, before dawn on Sept. 21 in Jakarta. Damage was
reportedly minimal and no panic or casualties were reported.

Meterologists placed the epicenter of the Monday and Tuesday
earthquakes at a depth of 177 kilometers in the Indian Ocean, 90
kilometers south of Blitar, East Java.

On Tuesday an expert in Bandung, Engkon Kertapati, said zoning
on more specific areas was needed to improve anticipation of
earthquakes. (01)