There Are Three Areas Most Severely Affected By The Sumedang Earthquake

Photo: Doc. Antara

Acting (Pj) Sumedang Regent Herman Suryatman stated that there were three areas that were severely affected by the earthquake at the end of 2023 in the area, namely Tegalsari, Cipamenpeuk, and Babakan Bukit.

Herman also revealed that based on a report from the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), there were 14 villages in Sumedang area that were affected by the earthquake with 84 housing units being lightly to heavily damaged. There were also injured victims who were hit by a building, but there were no casualties.

"The team has been dispatched to the field from BPBD, BMKG, and local governments for assessments, recording damage in the field. Meanwhile, this has been controlled, only a few residents have been injured," Herman said in a statement in Bandung, quoted from Antara, Monday, January 1.

Herman said he also received reports that two hospitals were also affected, namely Sumedang Hospital and Pakuwon Hospital with patients being evacuated outside the hospital and being treated in emergency tents.

"At the time of the incident at Sumedang Hospital, there were 248 inpatients and 83 ER patients. The damaged parts were the pavilion and VIP rooms. The patients are currently safe and emergency tents have been prepared," said Herman.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPBD Sumedang Regency, Atang Sutarno, straightened out false news that stated that there would be aftershocks with greater strength.

He emphasized that the news of the aftershock was incorrect information made by irresponsible persons, because until now there is no technology that can predict when an earthquake will occur.

Therefore, Atang asked the entire Sumedang community and its surroundings not to panic but remain vigilant, and only to update information related to earthquakes and other potential disasters from government agencies such as BMKG, BNPB, BPBD and the Geological Agency.

"No expert can predict when an earthquake will occur, including aftershocks. If anyone says that later there will be aftershocks, it will be a hoax," said Atang.

It is known, during the turn of the year there were three earthquakes in Sumedang, namely a magnitude of 4.1 at 14:35 WIB, a magnitude of 3.4 at 15.38 WIB and a magnitude of 4.8 at 20.34 WIB.

Based on the results of the analysis by the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy, Resources and Minerals (ESDM), this earthquake is estimated to be due to active fault activity in Cileunyi - Tanjungsari which is concluded based on the location of the epicenter and the depth of the BMKG data.

According to data from the Geological Agency, the Cileunyi - Tanjungsari Fault is a horizontal market, the distribution starts from the south of Tanjungsari Village to the northeast to the Cipeles River valley, and the value of the sliding rate ranges from 0.19 - 0.48 mm / year.

The Geological Agency also noted that Sumedang Regency was hit by a destructive earthquake in 1972, while the 2010 incident caused anxiety for residents in the Tanjungsari area, Sumedang Regency. In 2022, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.7 was recorded at a depth of 16 km.

By looking at the results of past analysis and records, the public is advised to remain calm, follow directions and information from local BPBD officers, remain alert to aftershocks, and do not be provoked by irresponsible issues regarding earthquakes.

"For residents whose houses were damaged, they should evacuate to a safe place in accordance with the directions of the local BPBD officers," he said.