State utility PT PLN has fully restored electrical power to 68,459 customers in Central Sulawesi following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake. According to Eko Prihandana, vice president for distribution control at PLN Sulmapana, the restoration effort involved repairing 15 network sections and 651 substations across five districts, including Palu City and Sigi.
Infrastructure Recovery and Emergency Response
The restoration process prioritized essential service infrastructure that had been offline since the seismic event. PLN field teams successfully brought three feeder units back online to stabilize the grid, according to Prihandana. Beyond the technical repairs, the company has maintained a standby presence in the region to monitor the network and provide ongoing support to residents as the area recovers.
Did You Know? The power restoration effort required field teams to address damage across five distinct districts: Palu City, Donggala, Parigi Moutong, Sigi, and Poso.
Humanitarian Aid and Regional Impact
While technicians focused on the grid, PT PLN also distributed humanitarian supplies to residents in Sigi, which was identified as one of the hardest-hit areas. Aid deliveries included bottled water, rice, canned fish, medicines, clean-water tanks, and emergency lighting equipment provided to health centers and shelters in Nokilalaki and Palolo.
The human and structural toll remains significant. According to the Sigi Disaster Mitigation Agency, as of June 20, the earthquake resulted in three deaths and damaged 2,335 homes. Of those structures, 154 sustained heavy damage, while 1,955 were classified as lightly damaged and 226 as moderately damaged.
What May Happen Next
With the electrical grid now functional, the focus in the affected districts is likely to shift toward long-term reconstruction. Local authorities have begun mapping liquefaction-prone zones, a process that could influence future residential zoning and the placement of temporary housing for the 2,775 families affected by the disaster. Future community recovery will likely depend on the transition from emergency humanitarian assistance to the permanent rebuilding of the 2,335 homes damaged during the earthquake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which areas experienced power outages?
Disruptions were reported in Palu City, Donggala District, Parigi Moutong District, Sigi District, and Poso District.
How many people were affected by the earthquake?
According to the Sigi Disaster Mitigation Agency, the earthquake affected 8,586 people from 2,775 families.
What kind of aid did PT PLN provide to Sigi?
The utility provided bottled water, rice, canned fish, medicines, clean-water tanks, and emergency lighting equipment to shelters and health facilities.
How will the mapping of liquefaction-prone zones influence the rebuilding process for families who lost their homes?
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