According to Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BNPB), 188,161 residents remained at evacuation centers in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) as of Aug. 30 at 7 a.m. Jakarta time, representing a drop of 4,142 displaced people as aftershocks began to decline following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores Island on Aug. 15.
Evacuation Centers and District Impact
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday, Acting Head of the BNPB’s Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Berton SP Panjaitan stated that Manggarai and Nagekeo districts held the largest numbers of evacuees, housing 50,556 and 50,574 people, respectively. Panjaitan further noted that significant numbers of displaced individuals also stayed put across the East Manggarai, West Manggarai, Ngada, Sikka, and Ende districts.
Did You Know? A total of 9,765 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1.0 to 6.2, had been recorded as of Aug. 30 following the main tectonic earthquake in the Flores Sea.
Elaborating on public safety, Panjaitan confirmed a downward trend in aftershock frequency. Residents felt 155 of the recorded aftershocks. “The series of aftershocks has begun to show a decline, although we can still expect shocks around three to four weeks after the main earthquake,” he said.
Casualties and Structural Damage
The BNPB confirmed 111 fatalities following the earthquake that jolted Flores Island on Aug. 15. Additionally, 1,631 residents sustained injuries, including 223 people with severe injuries and 1,408 with minor injuries.
The disaster caused widespread structural damage across the region, destroying 95,567 houses in total. This figure includes 46,161 homes with minor damage, 21,992 with moderate damage, and 27,414 severely damaged structures. “There remains an urgent need to provide temporary housing or relocation sites for 27,414 families whose houses were severely damaged,” Panjaitan noted.
Government Response and Relief Efforts
To deliver relief items and deploy rescue teams to the impacted zones, Indonesia quickly activated multiple entities such as ministries, the military, and the police. President Prabowo Subianto visited NTT to directly observe disaster relief efforts, assuring survivors that the government would continue monitoring the situation and delivering essential goods and equipment.
The presidential visit followed a similar trip by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The Vice President promised that ruined homes would be repaired promptly and that all survivors—including those residing outside designated evacuation camps—would receive equal assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people remain displaced in East Nusa Tenggara?
According to BNPB data as of Aug. 30 at 7 a.m. Jakarta time, 188,161 residents remain at evacuation centers.
Which districts currently house the highest number of evacuees?
Manggarai and Nagekeo districts hold the largest numbers of evacuees, housing 50,556 and 50,574 people, respectively.
How many houses were severely damaged by the earthquake?
The BNPB reported that 27,414 houses sustained severe damage, creating an urgent need for temporary housing or relocation sites for those families.
How are local authorities and agencies planning to address the long-term housing needs of families whose homes were severely destroyed?
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