Sumedang has emergency response status, damage caused by earthquake recorded

After the earthquake on Sunday (31/12/2023), a disaster emergency response status was declared in Sumedang Regency. Data collection on damage caused by the earthquake is still being carried out.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Sumedang Berstatus Tanggap Darurat, Kerusakan akibat Gempa Didata

MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

A number of patients are surviving in emergency tents set up in front of the Sumedang Regional General Hospital, Sumedang Regency, West Java, on Monday (1/1/2024). The patients are being treated urgently outside the hospital following an earthquake that occurred the day before.

SUMEDANG, KOMPAS - The government has declared a state of emergency in Sumedang Regency, West Java, after an earthquake occurred on Sunday (31/12/2023). There are no reports of casualties from the earthquake, but hundreds of homes have been reported damaged. Damage assessment is still underway.

The Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General Suharyanto, stated on Monday (1/1/2024) in Sumedang that the government of Sumedang Regency has declared a state of emergency for the next seven days. BNPB is prepared to assist in comprehensive disaster management in Sumedang.

"The emergency response status means that the central government through BNPB will mobilize all resources available to handle disasters," said Suharyanto.

Previously, a series of earthquakes shook parts of Sumedang on Sunday. Based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the first earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 occurred at 14:35. The epicenter was located 1 kilometer northeast of Sumedang with a depth of 7 km.

Also read: Earthquake in Sumedang Area Vulnerable to Triggering Landslides

MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Residents repairing the roof tiles of their damaged house due to the earthquake in the Cipameungpeuk Village, South Sumedang Sub-district, Sumedang District, West Java, on Monday (1/1/2024). Hundreds of homes were damaged due to the shallow earthquake that struck Sumedang at the end of 2023.

At 3:38 PM, a second earthquake with a magnitude of M 3.4 occurred. Its location was 3 km northeast of Sumedang with a depth of 6 km. The third earthquake happened at 8:34 PM with a magnitude of M 4.8. The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 5 km, around 2 km northeast of Sumedang.

An earthquake measuring M 4.5 was felt again on Monday at 8:46 p.m. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 4 km north of Sumedang with a depth of 10 km.

Hundreds of houses were damaged as a result of these earthquakes. Even patients at the Sumedang Regional General Hospital (RSUD) fled after the earthquake occurred.

Also read: Earthquake in Sumedang, 238 Houses Damaged

Until Monday morning, 108 patients were being treated in the front yard of Sumedang Regional Hospital (RSUD), while 45 other patients were being treated in the back yard. Patients began to be gradually transferred back to the treatment rooms on Monday around 3:30pm after the government ensured that the hospital building was still able to be used.

"The President immediately ordered me to come here," said Suharyanto.

MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

One patient was brought back to the Sumedang Regional General Hospital in Sumedang, West Java on Monday (1/1/2024) after surviving in an emergency tent overnight.

Suharyanto explained that disaster relief support in Sumedang is carried out in various aspects, from operational to assistance with the registration of damaged houses. He mentioned that based on preliminary data, there are at least 188 houses that have been damaged.

The number of damaged houses is likely to increase as the data collection is still ongoing. In addition, officials will also group the damaged houses according to their level of damage.

Also read: Three shallow earthquakes shake Sumedang at the end of 2023

According to Suharyanto, the grouping serves as a basis for providing assistance to victims according to the level of damage. He explained that heavily damaged houses will receive support up to IDR 60 million, moderately damaged houses will receive IDR 30 million, and lightly damaged ones will receive IDR 15 million.

Suharyanto stated that the aid will be used to rebuild houses damaged by the earthquake. The government will also assist in the rebuilding process to ensure earthquake-resistant construction is used.

"We will immediately collect data together, without waiting for the emergency response to end. It is expected that within seven days, damaged homes will be classified. Damage is not only based on visual observations, but also according to government regulations," he said.

MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Residents comfort each other near a severely damaged house due to an earthquake in Cipameungpeuk village, South Sumedang district, Sumedang regency, West Java on Monday (1/1/2024).

Meanwhile, Head of the Class I Geophysics Station in Bandung, Teguh Rahayu, has urged the residents of Sumedang and its surrounding areas to remain vigilant of potential aftershocks. Buildings with damaged constructions due to the earthquake should be avoided in order to prevent any loss of life.

"The community continues to increase their awareness, especially for the next one week, as aftershocks cannot be predicted. Regarding the fault (the cause of the earthquake), it needs to be reviewed. Currently, the officials are collecting data so that we can justify it as soon as possible," said Teguh.

The emergency response status means that the central government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) will mobilize all available resources for disaster management.

Wati (41), a family member of a patient at Sumedang Hospital, admitted to still being hesitant to bring her son back to the hospital. However, since there has been confirmation that the hospital building is still secure, she finally followed the instruction from the officer.

When the earthquake occurred, Wati was waiting for her child who was undergoing treatment for dengue fever. She was forced to carry her 12-year-old child with the help of another nurse.

"My husband was at home at that time. After the earthquake occurred, I couldn't sleep all night. I wanted to bring my child back home, but their condition needed intensive care," she said.