Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA) – North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi has sent logistics assistance for people affected by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted North Tapanuli district, North Sumatra, at 2:28 a.m. local time on Saturday.
The governor has instructed the related team to respond quickly to mitigate the impact of the earthquake, Chief of the North Sumatra Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Haris Lubis informed in Medan on Saturday.
Governor Rahmayadi has also asked the BPBD to deploy a team of personnel to conduct a quick assessment and mapping with the help of a drone.
“We have sent logistical assistance and a team of rapid assessment personnel to the disaster-affected locations. This rapid evaluation and data collection must be carried out immediately,” Lubis said.
The logistical assistance will reach the affected communities as soon as possible on Saturday so that it can be distributed to them, he informed.
The assistance consists of essential goods, tents, blankets, mattresses, and food for families.
Meanwhile, the rapid evaluation that would be carried out by the North Sumatra BPBD team will involve collecting data on damage to houses, public facilities, and social facilities.
“Later, handling, such as the construction of a public kitchen, refugee tents, and other basic needs (facilities) for the communities, will be done,” Lubis said.
Based on the initial report, the earthquake damaged several houses, offices, hospitals, and other public facilities.
Some road sections were reportedly damaged and collapsed in the quake, which also caused trees to fall and triggered landslides. A fire broke out at Sarulla Market in Pahae Jahe due to the earthquake.
As of 8:30 a.m. local time, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had reported 58 aftershocks, with the strongest reaching 5.1 in magnitude (M) and the weakest 2.5M.
Based on the modeling results, the earthquake did not trigger the risk of a tsunami.
Source: ANTARA News