North Sulawesi Earthquake M 5.9, South Bolaang Mongondow Residents Panic

The tectonic earthquake that shook South Bolaang Mongondow. ANTARA/HO-BMKG

JAKARTA - Residents of South Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi, panicked and left their houses during an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bolaang Mongondow Regency informed that residents of Bolaanguki Subdistrict, South Bolaang Mongodow Regency, felt a moderate shaking with a duration of 3 to 5 seconds. After the incident, the local BPBD immediately coordinated with the relevant agencies to get the situation on the ground.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the earthquake parameter M 5.9 was centered 52 km southwest of Bolaang Uki District, South Bolaang Mongondow with a depth of 106 km. The epicenter of the earthquake was at sea.

Quoted from the BNPB statement, it was also explained that the BMKG identified the shocks felt in Gorontalo, Kotamobagu, East Bolaang Mongondow, South Bolaang Mongondow, Pohuwato and Bone Bolango III - IV MMI, Luwuk III MMI, Taliabu II - III MMI, and Manado and Tibawa II MMI.

The public is advised to always be vigilant and alert to the possibility of aftershocks. Until now, there is no technology that can predict the occurrence of earthquakes. Therefore, it is very important for the community to carry out a family preparedness plan to anticipate the adverse effects of an earthquake.

Meanwhile, the BMKG recorded that the distribution of earthquake activity in Indonesia during the period January to June 2021 was recorded at 4,701 times with an average of 783 earthquakes per month.

Meanwhile, throughout June 2021, the BMKG recorded 845 earthquakes in Indonesia. From a number of these phenomena, as many as 69 earthquakes were felt by the community. Of the total 845 earthquakes, 22 earthquakes were recorded with more than M5.0 and 823 less than M5.0.

Regarding the M5.9 earthquake, BNPB has coordinated with the local BPBD to obtain information and continue to monitor the current situation after the incident.