Philippines Earthquake: Tsunami Arrival Times for Indonesian Regions Announced
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the waters of the Philippines on Monday (8/6) morning at 06:37 WIB, with the epicentre located at a depth of 47 kilometres northwest of Karatung Island, North Sulawesi. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued an updated tsunami warning for the coastal regions of North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, and East Kalimantan.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has advised residents in these five coastal regions to remain calm and maintain full alertness. Residents are encouraged to proactively take self-protective measures by moving away from coastal areas towards designated safe assembly points, depending on the threat level in their specific area, stated Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre.
Based on BMKG tsunami impact modelling, local governments in provinces, regencies, and cities under ‘Alert’ (Siaga) status have been instructed to immediately direct their citizens to conduct orderly evacuations to higher ground. The ‘Alert’ status includes several points in North Sulawesi, with estimated wave arrival times starting from the Sangihe Islands at 06:51 WIB, Manado at 07:12 WIB, North Minahasa at 07:12 WIB, North Minahasa Regency at 07:14 WIB, Minahasa Islands at 07:16 WIB, North South Minahasa at 07:17 WIB, and North Bolaang Mongondow at 07:22 WIB.
Additionally, the ‘Alert’ status applies to North Gorontalo with an estimated arrival time of 07:26 WIB, followed by Central Sulawesi regions including Buol at 07:27 WIB and Toli-Toli at 07:29 WIB, before returning to North Sulawesi for South North Minahasa at 07:33 WIB and South Minahasa at 07:34 WIB.
For local governments and communities in ‘Watch’ (Waspada) status areas, the BNPB has requested that preparedness be maintained by directing residents to stay away from coastal and riverside areas and temporarily suspending all maritime activities. The ‘Watch’ category includes the Talaud Islands (06:58 WIB), Bitung City (07:19 WIB), Halmahera in North Maluku (07:29 WIB), North Donggala in Central Sulawesi (07:42 WIB), and South South Minahasa (07:42 WIB). Similar vigilance is required for Ternate City (07:43 WIB), East Kutai in East Kalimantan (07:44 WIB), Tidore City (07:46 WIB), Bulungan (08:05 WIB), and Nunukan (08:14 WIB).
Muhari confirmed that the BNPB monitors the situation on the ground as safe and controlled. According to rapid reports from the Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of the Talaud Islands Regency and Manado City, the earthquake tremors were only felt weakly for approximately 2 to 3 seconds in both areas. Joint BPBD teams in each region continue to conduct strict, periodic monitoring to assess any post-earthquake impacts and ensure coastal safety. The BNPB continues to strengthen synergistic coordination with cross-agency teams, including BPBD, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, and humanitarian volunteers, all of whom are on full alert to guide and secure evacuation routes.