Pertamina restores fuel, LPG supplies in Flores after NTT quake
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, a subsidiary of Indonesia's state-owned energy company Pertamina, is working to restore fuel and LPG supplies across Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that damaged dozens of gas stations. As of Sunday, 32 of Flores' 52 gas stations were operational, while 20 remained closed due to structural damage, power outages, or safety concerns. The company is coordinating with local authorities to ensure fuel distribution, using secured tankers to navigate landslide-blocked routes. Five LPG distributors remain fully operational, and inventory levels are being closely monitored. Road access remains a major challenge, with landslides disrupting several critical routes, though heavy machinery is actively clearing debris. Residents are advised to use Pertamina's call center or mobile app for service updates.
Lombok residents felt strong shaking from a magnitude 7.7 earthquake early Saturday, according to reports from local media. The tremor struck Nagekeo District on Flores Island, in East Nusa Tenggara, and was felt strongly on Lombok Island, part of West Nusa Tenggara Province. At a residential complex in Mataram, residents who had just completed morning prayers or were engaged in household tasks rushed outside in alarm. Local resident Veronika described the experience as startling, noting the shaking felt like prolonged swaying, leading to dizziness akin to motion sickness. Another resident, Adam, recounted waking up to intense shaking, expressing hope that there was no serious damage or casualties near the epicenter. The Indonesia Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed the earthquake occurred at 5:58 a.m. Central Indonesia Time, with its epicenter located north of Mbay village in Nagekeo District. The coordinates were 8.33 degrees south latitude and 121.32 degrees east longitude, at a shallow depth of 15 kilometers. BMKG issued a tsunami warning following the quake. In West Nusa Tenggara, a 0.17-meter wave was recorded in Dompu at 6:29 a.m. local time. Waves also reached several coastal areas in East Nusa Tenggara, with measurements ranging from 0.14 meters in Alor to the highest of 0.94 meters in Ende. BMKG urged residents to stay calm and rely on official information regarding the earthquake, its developments, and potential aftershocks. Following the quake, Pertamina, the national oil and gas company, began efforts to restore fuel and LPG supplies across Flores. PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, a subsidiary of Pertamina, reported that 32 of Flores' 52 gas stations were operating, while 20 remained closed due to earthquake-related damage. Operations continued under monitoring, with some closures attributed to power outages, damaged facilities, or unsafe environments. Pertamina emphasized coordination with local authorities to manage fuel distribution, using tankers with added security along affected routes. Two gas stations in Manggarai Regency suffered structural damage and remained closed. Operational stations included SPBU 54.86.501, SPBU 54.86.503, and SPBU 54.86.509. Five LPG distributors across Flores remained fully functional, with inventory levels being adjusted based on demand. Twelve kerosene distributors faced disruptions, requiring careful management of supply chains. Pertamina assured the public that fuel supplies in Flores were reliable and secure, emphasizing the safety of residents and workers as a top priority. Ahad Rahedi, the company’s area manager, stated that initial inspections indicated all fuel distribution outlets were safe, with no major damage to key infrastructure. As a precaution, operations at several distribution points were temporarily suspended until inspections concluded and conditions were deemed safe. Pertamina coordinated with local governments and agencies to assess the impact of the quake, including power outages and road conditions. The Trans Ende-Bajawa road, which experienced landslides, was among the areas under review. Current stock levels showed resilience for various fuels, with aviation fuel (Avtur) lasting approximately nine days, Biosolar for six days, and others for varying durations. Pertamina urged the public to avoid panic buying and to rely on official updates regarding fuel availability and service status. In addition to maintaining energy reliability, Pertamina prepared humanitarian aid for affected communities, including ready-to-eat meals, essential food packages, emergency tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, medicines, and other logistical supplies for around 1,000 displaced individuals at the Reo Disaster Relief Post. These resources would be distributed in coordination with local authorities to ensure they reached those in need. Pertamina also encouraged the public to remain calm and trust official channels for accurate information. Meanwhile, officials from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported two fatalities linked to the earthquake, underscoring the severity of the situation.
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