Bengkulu's Infrastructure Claims Governor Rohidin Mersyah Is Safe If A Magnitude 5 Earthquake Occurs

Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah. ANTARA/Anggi Mayasari

BENGKULU - Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah said buildings and infrastructure in Bengkulu province are sturdy and safe for earthquakes of up to 5 magnitudes.

Because the construction of buildings in Bengkulu is strong and the soil structure is also quite stable if an earthquake with a magnitude of below 5 occurs in Bengkulu, the building will not be seriously damaged.

"With these two factors, if there is an earthquake with a magnitude below 5, then things will not happen", said Rohidin in Bengkulu City, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 26.

Regarding information on the potential for an earthquake of 8.9 magnitudes and a tsunami as high as 15 meters, Rohidin asked the people of Bengkulu Province not to panic and worry too much.

"The possibility of an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 does not occur, because every day in Bengkulu Province it occurs with a strength ranging from 2 to 5 magnitudes", he said.

With the occurrence of earthquakes with small strengths, the release of energy in the earth's plates will occur continuously, thereby reducing the occurrence of large earthquakes in Bengkulu.

Previously reported, BMKG Climatology Station Baai Island Bengkulu City asked the people of Bengkulu Province to be aware of the potential for an earthquake with a maximum strength of 8.9 magnitudes centered in the Mukomuko Regency area.

"Bengkulu has the potential for an earthquake of magnitude 8.9 to cause a tsunami wave of up to 15 meters", said Head of Data and Information of the BMKG Climatology Station, Baai Island Bengkulu, Anang Anwar.

He explained that the potential for an earthquake would occur when the earth's plate in the waters of Mukomuko Regency close to the waters of the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, broke.

However, until now the condition of the earth's plate has not broken and the public is asked to remain vigilant and not panic.

Because Bengkulu Province is an area traversed by a series of volcanoes or a ring of fire there is the potential for earthquakes of great strength when compared to other areas.

"The Bengkulu Province has a fairly large chance of plate shifting", he said.