BMKG: Tsunami Threat Status Alert 0.5-3 Meters in NTT, NTB, South Sulawesi

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JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed the existence of a tsunami threat with a status of Alert with a potential wave height of 0.5 - 3 meters in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and South Sulawesi (South Sulawesi) regions after a magnitude 7.7 tectonic earthquake that shook Nagekeo Regency.

BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Director Wijayanto said the tsunami early warning was issued following a 15-kilometer-deep (km) earthquake centered in the sea at a distance of 30 km northeast of Nagekeo, NTT, at 04.58 WIB.

"Based on the results of tsunami modeling, this earthquake has the potential for a tsunami in the NTT, South Sulawesi, and NTB provinces with an alert status of 0.5 to 3 meters and a warning status below 0.5 meters," he said as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, August 15.

The areas with the Alert status (0.5-3 meters) include the North Manggarai area, North Ngada, Ende, and East Flores in NTT, as well as Jeneponto in South Sulawesi.

Meanwhile, the areas with a Waspada status (less than 0.5 meters) include Bima and Dompu in NTB, Wajo in South Sulawesi, and parts of East Flores.

"BMKG recorded the estimated time of arrival of the first wave varied from 05.02 WIB to 06.01 WIB," he said.

Wijayanto explained that BMKG had issued Early Warning 1 at 05.00 WIB (2 minutes 16 seconds after the earthquake) and Early Warning 2 at 05.09 WIB to ensure stakeholders and the public could respond to the potential threat quickly.

The impact of the earthquake shock was reported to be felt most strongly in Aesesa (Nagekeo), Riung (Ngada), and Mbay City on a VII MMI scale which caused residents to rush out of their homes and trigger minor damage to buildings.

Then, the VI MMI scale was felt in Wolowae and Bajawa, and the V MMI scale in Ende, Borong, and Ruteng.

Responding to the potential tsunami threat, the BMKG appealed to residents in the Alert status area to immediately evacuate to higher ground, while people in the Warning status area were asked to stay away from the beach and riverbanks.

"Stay calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be verified, avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged due to earthquakes," he emphasized.