August 16, 2026 | 02:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response period following the M7.7 earthquake that struck Flores Island on August 15, 2026.
The emergency status will remain in effect from August 15 to 28, NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena said in a statement in Kupang on Sunday.
“The emergency response status is intended to accelerate efforts to address the disaster’s impact while facilitating access, coordination and communication among all parties in mobilizing available resources,” Melki said.
The declaration was formalized through East Nusa Tenggara Governor’s Decree No. 305/KEP/HK/2026 on the Emergency Response Status for the Earthquake Disaster in East Nusa Tenggara, issued in Kupang on August 15.
The decision followed the M7.7 earthquake that struck the Flores region at a depth of 15 kilometers. The epicenter was located about 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency.
The earthquake caused deaths and injuries, damaged homes and infrastructure, and disrupted daily activities in several parts of the province.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Under the emergency status, the provincial government will work with district and municipal administrations, the central government, the military and police, relevant agencies, businesses and local communities to coordinate disaster response efforts.
“Public safety and meeting the basic needs of affected residents are our top priorities during this emergency response period,” Melki said.
The government will mobilize available resources for search and rescue operations, medical services, basic necessities, evacuation shelters, and the restoration of transportation links and infrastructure, as well as to address other impacts of the disaster.
The provincial government has also allocated funding for the emergency response.
The costs arising from the emergency declaration will be covered by the NTT provincial budget (APBD) and other legitimate, non-binding sources of funding.
The emergency status is expected to provide a legal and administrative basis for the government and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts and accelerate disaster response while minimizing the impact on affected communities.
The provincial government has urged residents to remain calm, help one another, and follow official information and instructions from the government, regional disaster mitigation agencies (BPBD), Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the military and police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and other relevant authorities throughout the emergency period.
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