NTT Earthquakes Subside, Emergency Response Extended in Three Regencies
The Regional Secretary (Sekda) of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Fransiskus Sales Sodo, stated that the intensity of earthquakes in Flores has begun to decrease. Although conditions are gradually improving, the Disaster Emergency Response status in the three affected regencies has been extended until 27 September 2026.
The extension of the emergency response status applies to Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo regencies. The government is now concentrating more on fulfilling basic services for the affected citizens.
Fransiskus shared this information regarding the extension of the Flores earthquake emergency response status. “We have extended the Disaster Emergency Response status because three regencies requested the extension. Therefore, we have implemented the extension. However, our concentration remains on the three regencies: Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo,” Fransiskus explained on Friday (18/09/2026).
According to him, the emergency response status has been extended for 14 days, effective from 13 September to 27 September 2026.
Earthquakes and Logistics Begin to Decline
Fransiskus explained that, in general, the disaster situation has begun to improve. The frequency of aftershocks has decreased, and the demand for emergency logistics has also dropped significantly.
“The intensity of the earthquakes has started to reduce, and logistics needs have also decreased very significantly,” he said.
He also ensured that all available aid at the command posts has been distributed to the affected residents. “The information I have received is that there is almost no aid left at the posts, as everything has been distributed,” he clarified.
Currently, he noted, the primary focus of the NTT Provincial Government is no longer on evacuation, but on guaranteeing basic services in the three most severely affected regencies. “Because our concentration at this time is still solely on basic services for these three regencies,” he emphasised.
Previously, the Deputy Governor of NTT, Jhoni Asadoma, asserted that the extension of the emergency response status was a reasonable decision, as the level of damage on the ground remains quite severe. “The extension is for the areas where the earthquake damage is severe. Given that, it is very natural that we extend the emergency response period,” said Jhoni.
He emphasised that with this extension, the government hopes the recovery in Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo regencies can proceed more effectively, particularly in meeting the basic needs of residents before entering the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.