BMKG: Beware Of Misinformation About The Tsunami In West Sulawesi

Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati together with Minister of PUPR Mochamad Basoeki Hadimoeljono during a visit to a number of disaster points in Mamuju City. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of the Central Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, appealed to all people in West Sulawesi, especially in Mamuju and Majene, not to be provoked by misleading information related to aftershocks with magnitude 8.2 and the issue of a tsunami.

"I beg the people, especially in Mamuju, and if they don't need to panic and don't get provoked by rumors, moreover someone says that the power can be magnitude 8.2. Some say they have to leave Mamuju, that's not true," said Dwikorita in Mamuju, quoted by Antara, Monday. , January 18th.

His side emphasized that BMKG had never issued information on aftershocks on a large scale than before, even there was information on the potential for a tsunami to occur in Majene and its surroundings.

"The BMKG never stated anything like that. It is completely wrong," said the former first female Rector of Gadjah Mada University.

The woman, who holds the title of professor and was born in Yogyakarta, June 6, 1964, said the appeal issued was to ask the public to always be vigilant and stay away from vulnerable locations, such as old buildings and, mountain slopes and coastal areas.

"We urge you to stay away from collapsed buildings, find a safe place, away from collapsed buildings, away from slopes that are prone to landslides or mountain slopes, and far enough from the coast," he reiterated.

He said that what BMKG issued was to be aware of aftershocks, but not at 8.2 magnitudes, or more or less as big as yesterday's incident.

"It's big (6.2 magnitude), but more (earthquake scale) is lower than yesterday, that's all. Hopefully we are all safe," he said.

BMKG also asked the whole community not to panic excessively and want to leave Mamuju City, to remain calm and alert until things return to normal.

"There is no need to leave Mamuju, if that is true, of course I will run (out) first, because we are still here. God willing, Allah will protect us all," he said.

The visit of the head of the central BMKG Prof. Dwikora Karnawati in West Sulawesi was also with the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Mochamad Basoeki Hadimoeljono at a number of disaster points in Mamuju City.