BMKG Urges Pasaman Barat Refugees Whose Houses Are Still Solid To Return Home

Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, appealed to residents or refugees who were victims of the 6.1 magnitude earthquake in West Pasaman, West Sumatra whose houses were still solid or habitable after the earthquake to return to their respective homes.

"Until today, the strength of the earthquake is getting weaker. We convey that the issue of earthquakes is no longer necessary to worry about, so we have conveyed that those whose houses are still habitable are welcome to return to their homes," Dwikorita said in an online press statement followed from Jakarta, Tuesday, March 1. Dwikorita said that so far there have been more than 160 aftershocks recorded after the main earthquake in West Pasaman. However, it was felt only six times, while the majority were small earthquakes that were not felt by the public.

He believes that the fault condition will be more stable if referring to the recording of the earthquake which continues to shrink. Therefore, he invited residents whose houses were still solid to return home instead of crowding in refugee camps.

"Instead of jostling at the refugee camps, they will be vulnerable to COVID-19, because it is still a pandemic. However, if people are still traumatized, they can stay around their yard by setting up tents," he said.

BMKG also coordinates with social services and local health offices to prepare psychosocial service officers (trauma healing).

"If you are still traumatized, you can stay in the yard with a tent first and we coordinate with the local government trauma healing by the social services and health services," said Dwikorita. Previously, after an earthquake measuring M 6.1 hit West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, on Friday ( 25/2), BMKG conducted a survey of soil vulnerability to earthquake shocks which was verified by mapping the level of building damage.

BMKG also continues to monitor and map aftershocks, to predict when the aftershocks will end.

The survey results are prepared to be recommended to the Regional Government to strictly observe the building code for earthquake-resistant building standards, especially in zones that are prone to earthquake shocks.