Albertus Pepi Kurniawan, Theressia Silalahi, Muhammad Aulia Rahman, East Nusa Tenggara – Residents displaced by the powerful earthquake that struck Indonesia's Flores region remained in evacuation shelters on Monday as aftershocks continued to rattle parts of East Nusa Tenggara province, while emergency aid began moving into affected areas.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 1,598 aftershocks in East Nusa Tenggara as of 7 a.m. Monday, with the strongest measuring magnitude 6.2. About 54 aftershocks were felt by residents, BMKG chief Faisal Fathani said.
"Aftershocks continue to be monitored," Faisal said Monday.
BMKG expects the aftershock activity to gradually decline over the next two to three weeks, allowing authorities to begin repairing or rebuilding damaged structures once conditions stabilize.
Residents in remote areas of Manggarai and East Manggarai, two of the hardest-hit districts, have reported shortages of food and other essential supplies.
"Food supplies are starting to run low. There are mothers and babies who are sick and are not receiving medical treatment," said Rofinus, a resident of West Cibal district in Manggarai.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday, killing dozens of people, damaging buildings and forcing thousands to evacuate.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 53 deaths and 135 injuries as of Sunday. Manggarai recorded 25 deaths, while East Manggarai reported 20. Four people died in Sikka, two in Ende, and one each in West Manggarai and Nagekeo.
Police send emergency aid
Indonesia's National Police deployed 44 trucks and a box truck carrying emergency supplies to earthquake-hit areas on Monday, coinciding with the country's 81st Independence Day.
The shipments include drinking water, ready-to-eat meals, rice, instant noodles, milk, biscuits, diapers, blankets, mattresses, tents, clothing, medicine and hygiene supplies. Police also sent generators, communications equipment, clean-water facilities, field kitchens and water-treatment units.
Police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said the operation was intended to move supplies as close as possible to affected communities.
"We want the aid not to stop at warehouses. It must be delivered to affected areas and distributed through local police so people who need it can receive it as soon as possible," Trunoyudo said.
The Bali police sent five trucks, while police forces in West Nusa Tenggara dispatched eight trucks. Central Java sent 10 trucks and a box truck carrying food, water, blankets, diapers, clothing and other supplies.
Jakarta's metropolitan police sent 12 trucks with support from air transportation, while East Java police deployed nine trucks carrying relief supplies and operational equipment, including field kitchens and water-treatment units.
East Java police also sent personnel specializing in disaster response, water operations, psychological support and trauma recovery. Some of the supplies and personnel are scheduled to travel by sea to Flores on Tuesday.
Authorities said aid would be distributed in coordination with the East Nusa Tenggara police and local police forces.
Independence Day marked with solidarity
The earthquake also featured prominently in Indonesia's 81st Independence Day commemorations on Monday.
Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said the meaning of independence extended beyond ceremonies and celebrations, emphasizing the need for Indonesians to help one another during disasters.
"Independence should not only be celebrated with joy, but also with an awareness to be present, help one another and maintain hope for our fellow citizens," Abdul Mu'ti said at an Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta.
He offered prayers and expressed sympathy for communities in East Nusa Tenggara affected by the earthquake, saying the disaster underscored the importance of national solidarity and gotong royong, the Indonesian tradition of mutual assistance.
Meanwhile, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended the Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta wearing traditional attire from Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara.
Gibran wore a traditional Rote outfit featuring a lafa cloth and Ti'i Langga hat, highlighting the province's culture as the country continued its Independence Day celebrations while communities in Flores struggled with the aftermath of the earthquake.