Palu’s Earthquake Recovery is Going Well

PALU, PINUSPRESS – An earthquake with magnitude of 7.5SM struck the island of Sulawesi on Friday night, 28 September 2018, at around 6PM. The earthquake was at finally identified as a tsunami-potential disaster before it actually happened at around 6:30PM and it reached the height of 4 to 7 meters maximum, causing heavy casualties to the civilians around.

After the mainshocks, there were series of aftershocks of this earthquake. One day after the main earthquake, there had been around 131 aftershocks which are mainly smaller in scale than the mainshock. However, these small scales earthquake still result in tons of damage to the location.

Until now, the death toll of this catastrophe has reached and stopped at 1763, with more than 8000 are injured and 75000 homes and buildings are destroyed. This also includes all facilities to be not available including transportation, especially airport and hospital.

Right now, according to the data provided, around 70821 refugees who are now refuging in a camp is located at different 141 points, and this number might still increase because the searching for the lost is still ongoing. According to the Head of Data and Information Division, Mr. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, communication between volunteers has been well established 5 days after the earthquake. “Communication is getting better even though not all area is covered” he said.

The recovery of the infrastructure including roads, hospitals, as well as electricity and fuel is going on and it is done quickly as it will ease out any of the rehabilitation process for the refugees. Until now, 6399 people are volunteering on the spot to help these people and these volunteers consists of TNI (Tentara Nasional Indonesia), Police, and organizations. Moreover, military services are also provided, which include weaponries, 2 battleships RI, 3 helicopters, and 5 airplanes. Lastly, more than 17 countries have been actively giving help for the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation of this disaster.

Writer : Radita Devara Putra