NTT Provincial Government Declares 14-Day Emergency Status Following M 7.7 Earthquake
The Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has declared a disaster emergency status for Flores Island for 14 days, effective from 15 to 28 August 2026. The declaration was made through Governor’s Decree Number 305/KEP/HK/2026 concerning the Earthquake Disaster Emergency Status in NTT Province.
NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena explained that the declaration of disaster emergency status serves as the legal basis for the government and all stakeholders to move quickly and collectively in handling the disaster.
“Handling the impact of the earthquake can be accelerated while also facilitating access, coordination and communication between parties in mobilising available resources following the establishment of this status,” said Laka Lena on Sunday (16/8/2026).
Disaster management is being carried out jointly by the central government, the NTT provincial government, district and city level governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, businesses, the community and relevant institutions. These efforts aim to ensure that handling is carried out quickly, precisely, in an integrated manner and in a coordinated fashion. “All resources will be directed,” Laka Lena explained.
According to Laka Lena, cooperation from all parties is needed to support the search and evacuation of victims, health services, fulfilment of basic needs, provision of evacuation shelters, restoration of transport access and infrastructure, as well as handling other impacts resulting from the earthquake.
“With the establishment of this 14-day emergency status, the regional government hopes that the handling process can proceed more quickly and that all assistance can be distributed precisely to affected communities in the Flores region,” Laka Lena said.
Based on provisional data collection and verification as of 08.30 Central Indonesia Time, a total of 112 people were recorded as victims of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in NTT. Of these, 48 people died and 64 people suffered serious or minor injuries. “The data is still provisional and dynamic,” Laka Lena explained.
Laka Lena urged the public to continue following official information and directives from the government, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency and relevant institutions during the emergency response period.