Aid gaps persist as NTT quake displaces over 90,000

PLN has successfully restored the main electricity supply in the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on August 15. According to PT PLN, the state-owned electricity company, the main grid is now operating at full capacity, having repaired 11 substations (GI) that were damaged during the quake. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo confirmed that the power supply capacity has reached 111 megawatts, sufficient to meet the current demand of around 95 megawatts and the normal load of approximately 105 megawatts. While the core grid is back online, the company is still addressing localized disruptions, including one affected feeder and several collapsed electricity poles. The restoration effort has been supported by close coordination with local governments, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and the National Police. PLN’s East Nusa Tenggara Regional Main Unit (UIW) General Manager, F. Eko Sulistyono, highlighted that the most severely impacted areas were Nagekeo and Reo Districts. Personnel, materials, and equipment are being deployed extensively to these zones, with additional support mobilized as needed. Safety remains a top priority, especially given ongoing aftershocks, and PLN is continuing to prioritize the restoration of electricity to critical facilities such as hospitals, airports, government offices, and evacuation centers. In parallel, the Indonesian Air Force has played a pivotal role in delivering emergency aid to survivors. Deploying C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and helicopters, the Air Force has airlifted 13 tons of essential supplies, including food, clean water, and medical equipment, to the hardest-hit regions. The operation, based out of El Tari Air Force Base in Kupang, focuses initially on Maumere in Sikka Regency before expanding to Ende, Nagekeo, and Bajawa. Military personnel have also been dispatched to key distribution hubs, ensuring smooth ground operations. So far, no major disruptions have been reported during the first 48 hours of the relief effort. The National Police has also contributed significantly to the disaster response, deploying a search and rescue (SAR) team equipped with K-9 dogs, heavy logistics, and specialized aircraft. The team, consisting of 21 personnel and 10 trained dogs, has transported over 2.5 tons of operational equipment, including medical supplies, field tents, and portable Wi-Fi units. Communication is considered crucial for coordinating rescue efforts, and the police have ensured that mobile networks are restored in affected districts. The team is currently focusing on heavily impacted areas in Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai Regencies, with plans for follow-up airlifts to address evolving needs. The Ministry of Public Works has taken steps to restore access to affected areas by inspecting and repairing damaged roads and bridges. Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo reported that some points have already been addressed, though one bridge remains under repair. A coordination meeting was held in Labuan Bajo to ensure a rapid and unified disaster response. Field teams are prioritizing routes necessary for public mobility, aid distribution, and emergency services. Cross-ministerial collaboration with the TNI, Polri, and regional governments is being maintained to expedite infrastructure recovery. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has launched a Media Center to provide accurate and timely updates on the disaster’s impact. BNPB Head Suharyanto emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that daily briefings will begin at 5:00 p.m. WITA to counter misinformation. The agency has also set up two operational posts, one in Labuan Bajo and another in Maumere, to cover both western and eastern parts of Flores. Road clearance efforts have allowed search and rescue teams to expand their operations, and the BNPB reported that 47 people lost their lives in the quake, with over 9,290 displaced. Pertamina, the state-owned energy company, has begun restoring fuel and LPG supplies across Flores. Of the 52 gas stations in the region, 32 are currently operational, while 20 remain closed due to damage or safety concerns. Pertamina is coordinating with local authorities to ensure safe and efficient fuel distribution, using tankers with enhanced security along landslide-impacted routes. Five LPG distributors remain fully functional, and inventory levels are being closely monitored. Despite challenges posed by landslides, heavy machinery is actively clearing debris to improve road access for fuel delivery. The East Nusa Tenggara governor has declared a 14-day emergency response, starting August 15, to streamline coordination and resource allocation. The emergency status allows for faster access to affected areas and enables authorities to mobilize resources effectively. The provincial government has committed funding to support search and evacuation operations, health services, shelter provision, and infrastructure repairs. Residents are urged to remain calm, assist one another, and rely on official information from authorities, the disaster agency, BMKG, and search-and-rescue teams. The Ministry of Health is working to restore medical services in the region, aiming to have all affected hospitals resume basic operations within a week. A mobile hospital unit is being sent to Nagekeo, where the local hospital was severely damaged, with Borong and Komodo hospitals serving as referral centers. Out of 21 hospitals across eight districts, six sustained minor damage, three suffered severe damage, and 16 remain fully operational. Community health centers are also being assessed, with efforts underway to restore services for maternal and child care, immunizations, and other essential health functions. The ministry has dispatched emergency medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, surgical masks, and protective gear, to support frontline workers.