REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Earthquakes rocked the Indonesian islands of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara Province, and Nias in North Sumatra Province on Thursday. no tsunami warnings were issued in the two affected areas.
According to the Mataram Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the 5.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Sumbawa Island at around 02.43 pm local time was located around 52 kilometers away from northwest of Sumbawa Besar town, Sumbawa District, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Head of the Mataram Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency Agus Riyanto said it was classified as a shallow earthquake as a result of Flores Back Arc Thrust activities, and its tremors could be felt by the residents of Sumbawa Besar, East and West Lombok Districts, as well as Mataram city.
"We have yet to receive reports of casualties or damage," he said adding that the local residents should avoid misleading information on the latest quake.
A 4.1-magnitude earthquake had also hit the Sumbawa Island on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the western part of Nias Island in North Sumatra Province, was shaken by five earthquakes measuring 3.3 and 3.5 on the Richter scale on Thursday.
The head of Gunungsitoli Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, Djati Cipto Kuncoro, said the earthquakes did not cause tsunami but the local residents were urged to remain cautious with stronger quakes because the island had ever been hit by a deadly quake in 2005. Due to the fact that it lies on Pacific ring of fire, Indonesia is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Over the past month, West Nusa Tenggara Province has become a spotlight of both Indonesian and world media after a string of strong earthquakes repeatedly rocked Lombok Island. It has caused serious catastrophes.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of August 23, the strong earthquakes, including the 7.0-magnitude quake that shook Lombok Island on August 5, had killed at least 555 people and caused injuries to 829 others. The majority of the fatalities were residents of North Lombok District areas, due to their close proximity to the strong earthquake's epicenter. The repeated earthquakes have also damaged 23,098 houses and forced 134,236 people to be displaced.
In response to the catastrophes, the central government had set a target of six months to complete the reconstruction of houses damaged by the previous earthquakes. "The reconstruction must be completed in six months' time. The president has ordered the reconstruction (of the damaged houses) after the emergency response period is over," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said during his recent visit to Lombok Island.
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