Skip to main content

Earthquake, tsunami rock Indonesia again

By Ludya Arica Bakti
(Pakistan News & Features Services)


The joint teams continue to sweep, evacuate, search and rescue tsunami victims along the tsunami-affected areas in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia. Some of the areas that were previously difficult to access because of damaged road and covered by tsunami-washed material have been reached by the officers, vehicles and heavy equipments. 

The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) has warned that the potential of the Sunda Strait tsunami could still occur. This is because of the eruption of Anak Krakatoa volcano which continues to occur and can re-create underwater landslides that have caused the tsunami.

"The potential for aftershocks caused by underwater avalanches is still potential because eruption activities are still ongoing," the BNPB Head of Information and Public Relations Centre, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, was quoted as saying. 

The tsunami in the Sunda Strait occurred on December 22. This disaster affected the west coast of Banten and South Lampung. According to the BNPB release on December 25, the death toll had increased to 481. In addition, 1,485 people were injured, 154 were still missing, and 16,082 were displaced.

According to Sutopo, the eruption of Anak Krakatoa volcano has been going on since last June. 

He disclosed that this volcanic eruption is of the strombolian type, which constantly throws incandescent lava and volcanic ash. 

"The type is like that and a two kilometer radius from the top of the crater is declared a dangerous zone," he said. 

The tsunami affected five districts, Pandeglang and Serang in Banten Province, as well as South Lampung Regency, Pesawaran and Tanggamus in Lampung Province.

The scientists, including those from Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics agency, have reckoned that tsunami could have been caused by landslides, either above ground or under water, on the steep slope of the erupting volcano. 

A powerful quake on the island of Lombok killed 505 people in August while the tsunami and earthquake that hit Sulawesi in September killed more than 2100 people and thousands of people are still believed to be buried in neighborhood swallowed by a quake phenomenon known as liquefaction. 


The tsunami on December 22, 2018 reminded many of the massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake that had hit Indonesia on December 26, 2004. It had spawned a giant tsunami off Sumatra Island, killing more than 230,000 people in a dozen countries, the majority in Indonesia. 

Meanwhile in a separate place Acehnese held remembrance and prayer together at the Aceh Government Liaison Agency office in Jakarta early on December 26 to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that hit the coast of the Indian Ocean and devastated around 200 thousand lives in Aceh on December 26, 2004.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

University of Karachi Sindhi Department Students Organize Book Festival During Students’ Week

KARACHI: Students of the Sindhi Department at the University of Karachi (UoK) have organized a book stall as part of Students’ Week, promoting reading habits, literature and a culture of learning among students and visitors. The book festival is being held from September 29 to October 2, 2026, with the stall open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The initiative is being managed by students of the Sindhi Department, who are making books accessible to readers throughout the event. The student-led initiative comes at a time when concerns are growing over the decline of reading habits and the diminishing role of books in everyday life. The festival provides an opportunity for students, book lovers and members of the public to reconnect with literature and explore a variety of written works. Books play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening critical thinking and introducing readers to different experiences, histories and ideas. Literature also encourages empathy, broadens ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Renowned Urdu Fiction Writer and Psychologist Hasan Manzar Passes Away

Karachi: The Urdu literary community is mourning the death of renowned fiction writer, author and psychologist Hasan Manzar, whose literary contributions explored the complexities of human psychology, social behaviour and the realities of life. Remembered for his distinctive literary style and profound understanding of human nature, Hasan Manzar earned recognition for his ability to portray the psychological dimensions of human experiences and relationships. His writings offered deep insights into the complexities of individual and collective life. His passing has left readers, writers and admirers of Urdu literature grieving the loss of a distinguished literary voice. His work remains an important part of his literary legacy and will continue to engage readers for generations to come. Hasan Manzar's writings were distinguished by their exploration of human emotions, psychological conflicts and the social circumstances that shape people's lives. Through his fiction, he brought...
Post a Comment
Read more

Constitution, Justice and Public Trust Essential for National Unity: Speakers

Bazm-e-Mukalma Pakistan organized the 39th Professor Karrar Hussain Memorial Lecture with a question-and-answer session at Rabat Hall, Bahadurabad, on “Lack of National Unity: Causes and Remedies.” Speakers and senior analysts Syed Muzafar Ejaz and Mazhar Abbas said national unity could not be achieved through slogans alone, but required justice, equality, constitutional supremacy, democratic continuity and public trust. They highlighted religious, linguistic, provincial and class-based divisions as major challenges to national cohesion. Mazhar Abbas stressed the importance of institutions working within their constitutional limits, freedom of the press and respect for the people’s right to choose their representatives. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session on national identity, constitutional supremacy, the political system, provincial grievances and the role of state institutions.
Post a Comment
Read more