Regent Urges Residents to Remain Vigilant Amid Recurring Earthquakes
The Regent of Bandung, Dadang Supriatna, has requested that the community remain calm yet vigilant in response to recurring earthquake activity in several areas of the Bandung Regency in recent times.
Dadang, more familiarly known as KDS, stated that based on monitoring so far, the tremors have been relatively small and have not caused any damage. Nevertheless, the public needs to understand mitigation steps and preparedness in the event that earthquakes recur.
“In the last 24 hours, Bandung Regency has indeed experienced several earthquakes with a magnitude of around 3.2. I expect all residents of Bandung Regency to remain calm,” said KDS in Soreang on Friday (18/09/2026).
As an anticipatory measure, he has instructed the Bandung Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to strengthen public education regarding earthquake mitigation, including the actions to be taken during tremors and identifying safer positions or locations for shelter.
“I have ordered the BPBD to provide education to the community. How we should behave during an earthquake, where we should be, and which positions or places are safer. We will provide further understanding through the BPBD,” he said.
KDS emphasised that vigilance is still necessary even though conditions in Bandung Regency remain relatively safe so far. According to him, the public should not become complacent simply because the tremors felt are classified as small.
“Hopefully, such a disaster does not occur in Bandung Regency. We must always be vigilant; we must not be complacent,” he said.
The earthquake activity occurred in the southern part of Bandung Regency, specifically around the Pangalengan and Kertasari areas. According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), there have been 118 earthquake activities in the Bandung Regency area from 11 August to 17 September 2026, at 08:00 WIB, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 3.4.
Of that number, 113 incidents were felt by the community in Pangalengan, Talegong, Cisewu, and surrounding areas with an intensity of II-III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale.
BMKG stated that this activity consists of shallow earthquakes with a fault pattern running southwest-northeast. Based on the Indonesia Earthquake Source and Hazard Map published by the National Earthquake Study Centre (PuSGen) 2024, the distribution of this activity does not fall within the Garsela Fault (Kendang Segment), Garsela Fault (Kencana Segment), or Cicalengka Fault. The location of this activity is in an unmapped area, so further study is required.
KDS said that this situation has become a priority for the local government to continue strengthening anticipatory measures. BMKG and BPBD have also conducted direct monitoring in the Kertasari and Pangalengan areas.
“That is correct. In terms of education and monitoring, BMKG has been in the field. They are monitoring the specific focal points, and advisories have been issued,” said KDS.
He requested that residents near the earthquake activity sites pay close attention to every advisory issued by officials. He noted that preparedness must be built before a worse situation occurs.
“Please pay attention to these advisories, all residents in the surrounding areas. It is better to anticipate and be vigilant than to react after the event. This will lighten the burden regarding evacuation and other matters in the future,” he said.
Furthermore, KDS stated that based on the latest monitoring, there have been no reports of damage resulting from this earthquake activity.
“Alhamdulillah, currently, hopefully, nothing happens and there is no damage. These are small tremors, but we must remain vigilant,” he said.
In addition to reminding the public about earthquake activity, KDS also requested residents to increase vigilance against the potential for fires in their respective environments.
He urged the public to be more careful when using electrical equipment, particularly when leaving the house. Equipment left plugged into sockets without supervision can increase the risk of electrical short circuits.
“When plugging in switches or sockets, please pay attention. Do not leave the house with equipment still connected to switches or sockets. This can cause a short circuit, resulting in a fire,” he said.
KDS also reminded smokers not to discard cigarette butts while they are still lit, especially in dry environments.
“For heavy smokers, I ask that you do not discard cigarette butts while they are still lit. If they happen to land in a dry area, this could cause a fire,” he said.
According to KDS, fire is also an issue that requires serious attention. In the last two months, 341 fire incidents were recorded in Bandung Regency.
“There have been 341 incidents over the last two months. The BPBD, Fire Department, and Rescue services are always focused on and pushing for fire suppression,” he said.
He requested that the public play a role in prevention and initial handling within their own environments, rather than relying solely on officials when a disaster occurs.
“I ask for the help of Bandung Regency residents to be vigilant in their respective environments. Please inform your relatives, neighbours, and others,” he said.
He reiterated his reminder for the public to remain calm, follow official information from the government and BMKG, and not reduce vigilance towards potential disasters.
“It is better to anticipate and be vigilant than to react after the event,” he concluded.