Manado, Ekuatorial – Within four days, Manado of North Sulawesi have been hit by earthquakes. The largest 7.3 magnitude quake hit on Saturday (15/11). Unfortunately, Manado local government was criticized over their lack capability to deliver clear information over the disaster.
“We are having difficulties to get accurate information from related officials, including city administration or provincial administration. We receive information through social media which only bring more panic,” said Agustinus Hari of Singkil sub district, Manado, on Tuesday (18/11).
Not only earthquake, Hari said that early warning system for flood was also unpredictable as there were no accurate information from local natural disaster mitigation agency or BPBD.
Manado was hit again by earthquake on Tuesday around 12.47 WITA (Indonesia Eastern Time) with 5.8 magnitude located 140 kilometer North West of West Halmahera at ten kilometer depth.
Though it was not as large as before, the quake was felt for two minutes. Hundreds of students of Manado Christian Education Foundation ran out of their classrooms and gathered in the open field. “We ran to the field to avoid for being trapped in the ruins,” said Reza Taliwongso, a journalist who was covering an event at the school.
In separate place, head of North Sulawesi Disaster Mitigation Agency, Noldy Liow said that people must not be panicking over tsunami issues. “Because, there is no tsunami and we asked for people do not trust people making those issues,” said Noldy.Yoseph Ikanubun