The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) would continue to update information on a 7.4-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Donggala district and Palu city, Central Sulawesi province.
The Head of LAPAN, Thomas Djamaluddin, told Antara here on Saturday (Sept 29) that in order to meet BNPB`s request, LAPAN would continue to update information on areas that are affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi.
According to him, people can see satellite images on affected areas at http://pusfatja.lapan.go.id/index.php/tanggapbencana.
The Head of BNPB`s Data, Information and Public Relations Center, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said the Search and Rescue Team had difficulty penetrating some areas to reach victims due to damaged roads due to the earthquake and tsunami.
The absence of electricity and telecommunications services also makes the SAR personnel difficult to evacuate victims and makes disaster impacts map.
Therefore, BNPB has coordinated with LAPAN to immediately provide high resolution satellite imaging of Donggala and Palu city areas as an analytical material so that the SAR Team could evacuate victims and distribute aid more quickly and precisely, Sutopo said.
"We hope that international institutions can also provide high-resolution satellite imaging for analytical materials. Hopefully there are satellites that pass above Palu city. We need as many as possible satellite images with large scale up to centimeter, so that objects on land can be seen clearly," he said.
People in Donggala and Palu really need help. At present many people have not received aid because the local administrations are also affected by the disasters. Besides, there is limited access to reach some locations. Satellite image is expected to help SAR personnel to evacuate and distribute logistics.
BMKG (the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics) mentioned that a 7.4-magnitudes quake occurred at 17.02 at local time, with the epicenter at 11 kilometers depth, 27 kilometers northeast of Donggala, Central Sulawesi.
The initial earthquake measuring 5.9 magnitudes occurred at 13:59 at local time, with the epicenter point on land at 10 kilometers depth, 61 kilometers north of Palu, Central Sulawesi. The next earthquake of 5.0 magnitude occurred with at 14.28 at local time with the epicenter point at 10 kilometers depth, 10 kilometers northeast of Donggala.
Based on the latest report, the death toll from the disaster had reached 384 people.
Reporting by Virna P Setyorini
Editing by Libertina Widyamurti Ambari
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
