Earthquake M 4.6 Sukabumi Allegedly Triggered By Mount Salak Activities, Puan Asks The Government To Be Prepared

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (doc the DPR-Man)

JAKARTA - DPR Speaker Puan Maharani asked the government to be ready following the BMKG analysis related to the M 4.6 Sukabumi earthquake allegedly related to the activities of Mount Salak. The tremors of the earthquake this morning were felt until Bogor and Tangerang.

"We need further analysis and mitigation steps for the earthquake that occurred in Sukabumi to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, especially since the earthquake is thought to have originated from a volcanic earthquake," said Puan, Thursday, December 14.

Based on BMKG information, the M 4.6 Sukabumi earthquake was a type of swarm earthquake that was related to volcanic activity, so the earthquake was allegedly related to the activity of Mount Salak.

However, this possibility is still being investigated, and the BMKG is coordinating with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). Puan reminded that there are no shortcomings in the disaster early detection system, so that incidents such as Mount Marapi, West Sumatra (West Sumatra) do not happen again.

"Learning from the eruption of Mount Marapi, vigilance must be a priority. We don't want any more victims due to the lack of maximum early detection system," he said.

"Don't let there be interference from the volcanic monitoring system, which causes the early warning system to not work," continued Puan.

Puan conveyed preparedness for this mountain activity due to the eruption of Mount Marapi, causing 25 of the 75 climbers to die. The volcanic eruption in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) occurred on December 3.

The number of victims who died was allegedly due to a lack of systems for detection and safety procedures that were ignored, including the absence of a warning from the supervisor.

"So it is very important for us to understand together, the early warning system should not be taken lightly," said Puan.

Regarding the Sukabumi Earthquake, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture encouraged the Government to be proactive in providing assistance to affected communities. Moreover, said Puan, the earthquake also affected other areas such as in Bogor.

"The government must immediately send the necessary assistance and speed up data collection on damaged houses so that they can be repaired quickly," he said.

According to the latest information from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the earthquake in Sukabumi affected 347 people with details of 309 residents of Bogor Regency and 38 residents of Sukabumi Regency. In addition, 12 residents in Bogor Regency were forced to evacuate because their houses were damaged by the earthquake.

BNPB also noted that the earthquake caused 96 houses to be damaged, with details of 8 moderately damaged houses and 81 lightly damaged houses in Bogor Regency. Then 2 houses were moderately damaged and 5 houses were slightly damaged in Sukabumi.

From the results of the temporary rapid assessment, it is known that houses affected by the earthquake are dominated by houses that do not have Slophs on buildings. Sloof itself is the structure of a building located in the foundation of the house.

For this reason, Puan asked the Government to pay attention to this matter when carrying out the rehabilitation of damaged houses.

"We hope that the Government can respond quickly and coordinate efforts to restore affected houses so that they can be repaired immediately," explained Puan.

Puan also emphasized the importance of distributing basic needs assistance for the people of Sukabumi who were affected by the earthquake. Starting from medicines, foodstuffs to the needs of mothers and babies.

"Make sure the needs of the people affected by the earthquake are met properly. The local government must respond quickly to disasters in its area," said Bung Karno's grandson.

Furthermore, Puan asked the local government to increase education about disaster information to its citizens. Moreover, several areas in Bogor Regency and Sukabumi Regency enter the foot of Mount Salak and Mount Gede, both of which have active volcanic status.

"Including strengthening the early warning system, especially for residents who live at the foot of a volcano, public safety must be a priority," said Puan.

For information, PVMBG recorded an increase in Mount Salak's volcanic activity. There were 8 local tectonic earthquakes recorded on Mount Salak on December 6, 2023, 7 times on December 7, 2023, and 7 times on December 8, 2023.

To the public, Puan appealed to be aware of any phreatic eruptions that could occur at any time. Especially those living around the foot of the mountain.

"The hiking trail on Mount Salak must be closed immediately and I urge residents to always be alert to mountain activities," he concluded