An earthquake measuring magnitude 7 struck Mbay, Nagekeo, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), on Saturday, August 15, 2026, triggering an immediate tsunami warning from authorities. According to coverage by detikSulsel, the strong tremor struck at 04:58 WIB or 05:58 Wita, prompting residents across affected island communities to flee toward higher ground. In Kabupaten Kepulauan Selayar, Sulawesi Selatan, residents of Kecamatan Pasimarannu and Kecamatan Pasilambena quickly evacuated to local hills as soon as the warning sirens and alerts sounded.
Evacuation and Community Response in Selayar
Selayar Regent Muhammad Natsir Ali stated that residents in Kecamatan Pasimarannu and Kecamatan Pasilambena ranked among the fastest to execute self-evacuations. According to the regent, this swift response stemmed from lingering trauma and direct experience with a previous magnitude 7.4 earthquake in NTT in December 2021 that also impacted Selayar. “I have directly video-called the subdistrict government, the people who are in Pasimarannu, Pasilambena, indeed there was an incident in 2021 if I’m not mistaken, which resulted in community trauma,” Natsir Ali explained during a phone interview with detikSulsel on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Additional reporting from detik.com noted that ocean water levels in Selayar did experience a brief rise following the seismic event. However, Natsir Ali clarified that the incoming water movement lacked destructive force, noting that it only slightly overtopped local embankments. “Air sempat naik, cuma baliknya air tidak kencang, sempat melimpas sedikit dari tanggul, tapi tidak kencang, kayak di ember naik sedikit air,” he described.
Meanwhile, residents on smaller islands experienced intense shaking firsthand. Hj Indo, a resident of Pulau Rajuni in Kepulauan Selayar, recounted to detikSulsel that she felt the severe vibration while indoors. “Terasa tadi kuat jam 06.04, saya lagi mengaji terasa kuat sekali di atas rumah, saya lari turun,” she said, adding that she immediately checked on her neighbors after fleeing outside.
Did You Know? The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) issued tsunami early warnings across multiple regions in NTT, NTB, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi, specifically listing areas such as Manggarai, Ngada, Ende, Sikka, Flores, Bima, Dompu, Jeneponto, Bantaeng, Selayar, Bone, Wajo, Luwu Timur, Luwu Utara, Palopo, and Baubau.
Damage Assessments and Ongoing Vigilance
Despite widespread panic and immediate evacuations, local officials have confirmed that no structural damages have been reported thus far. Regent Natsir Ali verified that initial communications with subdistrict leaders revealed no compromised homes or school buildings. “Panik masyarakat, pasti… tapi alhamdulillah sampai saat ini tidak ada ji. Sempat saya tanya tidak ada rusak rumah sekolah apa, kami masih waspada,” he said.
Expert Insight: Past natural disasters heavily shape community preparedness and psychological response times during subsequent emergency alerts. When populations have lived through destructive events like the 2021 NTT earthquake, early warning systems often achieve higher compliance rates, as demonstrated by the rapid hillward evacuation seen in Selayar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the tsunami warning in Sulawesi Selatan?
The tsunami warning was triggered by a magnitude 7 earthquake centered in Mbay, Nagekeo, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).
Why did residents in Pasimarannu and Pasilambena evacuate so quickly?
According to Selayar Regent Muhammad Natsir Ali, local residents acted rapidly because they retained trauma and experience from a previous magnitude 7.4 earthquake in NTT in December 2021.
Were there any reports of building damage or casualties from the event?
No. Regent Natsir Ali confirmed that local officials have found no reports of damaged houses, schools, or infrastructure across the affected subdistricts.
How have local disaster management systems evolved in your region following past seismic events?
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