Strong Shock Of 6.6 NTT Magnitude Earthquake, Residents Panic

Earthquake illustration. (Between)

JAKARTA A strong earthquake rocked the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region on Thursday, November 2, at 05.04 local time or Wita. The strength of the geological phenomenon reached a magnitude (M) of 6.6. Residents panicked when the incident occurred this morning.

The latest developments at 06.00 WIB, the Operations Control Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) informed the panic of residents in several areas.

Gempa dirasakan kuat dengan periode waktu berbeda, seperti di Kabupaten Kupang, Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) dan Rote Ndao. BNPB terus berkoordinasi dengan Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) di wilayah terdampak.

The report received from Kupang Regency, the local BPBD said the strong shock lasted for 2 to 5 seconds. Residents there scattered out of the house.

Meanwhile, in TTS Regency, residents felt a moderate vibration of about 1 to 3 seconds. People panicked when the earthquake occurred. The same thing was experienced by residents of Rote Ndao Regency.

"The residents felt longer duration, the local BPBD informed that the shock was going on for 5 to 6 seconds. Residents panicked and rushed out of the house," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement.

Until now there have been no reports of post-earthquake impacts from the area. However, the BPBD rapid reaction team is still monitoring the situation in the field.

The earthquake parameters issued by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded an M6.6 earthquake 10 km deep. The epicenter of the earthquake was 24 km southeast of Kupang City or 41 km southwest of Kupang Regency, NTT Province. BMKG released that incident without the potential for a tsunami.

Judging from the strength of the earthquake measured by the Modified Mercalli Intesity (MMI) scale, Kupang was observed by VI MMI, TTS IV-V MMI, Rote, Waingapu and Alor III MMI, while Lembata and Larantuka II MMI districts.

BMKG describes VI MMI as having vibrations felt by all residents. Most of them were shocked and ran out, plastered walls fell andtry of smoke at the factory was damaged, minor damage.

Based on the inaRISK study, the NTT region has a moderate to high earthquake hazard potential. A total of 22 districts in this province have the potential for this danger, including the areas above that reported shocks.

"BNPB urges local governments and residents to remain vigilant against potential aftershocks. After the incident, residents were asked to ensure the condition of the building structure affected by the earthquake," added Abdul.

In addition, do not be provoked by fake news or hoaxes that usually occur in crisis situations or after the earthquake phenomenon occurs.