NTT Shaken by Two More Earthquakes, No Tsunami Potential

Two tectonic aftershocks shook two areas of East Nusa Tenggara in quick succession on Monday morning (17/8). The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in the Ruteng area of Manggarai Regency, followed by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake centred northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at 07:46 WIB. Both events were confirmed not to have the potential to trigger a tsunami.

According to BMKG data, the M 5.8 earthquake in Mbay was located at a depth of 10 kilometres and its shaking was felt quite widely. In Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Ngada regencies, vibrations were felt at III-IV MMI intensity. In Nagekeo and Ende regencies, vibrations were felt at III MMI inside buildings. In East Sumba Regency, the tremor was felt by several people inside their homes at III MMI.

The Head of BMKG for the NTT Region, Arief Tyastama, explained that both earthquakes were still part of the rock fault adjustment activity following the main magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores on 15 August. ‘The public should remain calm and alert. Do not believe rumours and hoaxes with unclear sources. Always monitor information from BMKG and BPBD,’ said Arief via WhatsApp message to CNN Indonesia on Monday morning (17/8).

Although there is no tsunami threat, BMKG reminded the public to remain vigilant against the risk of building damage due to repeated shaking. Residents were asked to check the structural condition of their homes and buildings, and to avoid structures that have already cracked or become fragile due to previous earthquakes. All official information related to earthquake activity is announced through BMKG’s official communication channels to ensure accuracy and counter misleading information.

As of the time this report was filed, there was no information from the local government regarding damage and losses suffered by residents of the two regencies as a result of this morning’s earthquakes.