8.2 Magnitude Earthquake, Padang Residents Evacuated

Rabu, 02 Maret 2016 - 21:25 WIB
8.2 Magnitude Earthquake,...
8.2 Magnitude Earthquake, Padang Residents Evacuated
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PADANG - The earthquake that shook the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra and tsunami could potentially make the residents of Padang rushed to evacuate.

"We immediately evacuated to a high area of the city," said Chief Editor Singgalang
Daily, Khairul Jasmi to Sindonews, Wednesday (2/3).

If within 40 minutes of the perceived situation was safe, Padang residents
chances will return to their homes.

"I'm back to the office. My office is 200 meters from the sea," he said.

Based on the information disseminated Head of Data and Information of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Indonesia, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the earthquake that rocked the Mentawai tsunami potential.

"Early warning tsunami in West Sumatra, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), Bengkulu, and Lampung," the statement disseminated.


A tsunami warning has been issued after a powerful and shallow earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck off the west coast of Sumatera. The warning was issued for West Sumatera, North Sumatera and Aceh after the tremor.

As National Meteorological Agency said, the epicentre was 808 kilometres south west of Padang, West Sumatera according to the US Geological Survey, and 10 kilometres deep. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties but the shallower a quake, the more likely it is to cause damage.

The quake was felt strongly in Padang for a few seconds, residents of the city said. People ran out of their homes to higher ground.

"There are likely to be no affected structures in this region," the organisation added on its website.

The USGS originally put the magnitude at 8.2 then 8.1, before lowering it to 7.8.

Indonesia, especially Aceh, was badly hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued tsunami warnings for the marine environment of Christmas Island and Cocos Island. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said evacuations were not required.

The alert said people were advised to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of beaches, harbours, marinas, coastal estuaries and rock platforms.
(rnz)
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