Tasikmalaya Earthquake
President instructs West Java governor, Tasikmalaya regent to be alert after earthquake, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan and Tasikmalaya Regent Tatang Farhanul Hakim to get ready with necessary measures after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the province on Wednesday.
The tectonic earthquake measuring 7,3 Richter Scale which hit the city of Tasikmalaya (2/9) did not trigger a tsunami due to the relatively low intensity of the quake.
According to Meteorological and Geophysics Body, the quake hit Tasikmalaya on September 2, 2009 at 14.55. This quake was centered offshore at 8.24ºS – 107.32ºE or 142 Km Southwest of Tasikmalaya at a depth of 30 Km. There were also several aftershocks recorded with an average intensity of 5 Richter Scale. The quake was reportedly caused by a collision between the Indo-Australia and Eurasian plate
Earthquake tremor was reported from all of the major cities in West Java and parts of Central Java. In Jakarta, the quake was reported to reach IV Modified Mercalli Intensity.
The regent of Tasikmalaya, Tatang Farhanul Hakim reported that in worst hit area of Jayapura village, Cigalontang, there are 1500 houses and 1 health care clinic which are heavily damaged, 6 fatalities, 25 wounded, and 450 people must be evacuated from their homes. This data is currently being updated as more information becomes available. The volcanology and geological disaster mitigation center has downplayed any threats of a tsunami.
The earthquake also damaged transmission lines, triggering blackouts in the area. PLN is currently inspecting the damage, taking necessary precautions and have assured the regent that electricity in Tasikmalaya will be available by midnight.
The President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed Minister of Social Affairs, Bachtiar Hamsyah and Minister of Transport, Syafii Djamal to inspect the disaster area to obtain field data. Several disaster relief teams have also left to the disaster area including a team from the volcanology and geological disaster mitigation center.
The public is expected to remain calm and cautious of aftershocks which are of a lower scale than the main earthquake