West Sumatra Earthquake on 10 April 2005: Field Situation Report No. 1

Overview

An earthquake measuring at 6.7 on Richter scale followed by 5 aftershocks hit West Sumatra on 10 April, at 17.29 local time. The epicentre was in the Indian Ocean, 105 km southwest of Padang city, with a depth of 33 km. The affected areas include Padang city, Padang Pariaman, West Pasaman, Mentawai and South Coast areas. No report on casualties and significant damages, but the quakes caused SOME panic.

According to SATKORLAK PBP West Sumatra, thousands of people in these areas left their homes to evacuation points. As part of its disaster preparedness, the local government has widely informed the community on these evacuation points and the routes to reach these points. People in Padang city have started to return home, but those living in other affected districts are afraid to return home, as it is predicted that aftershocks may be expected for the next two weeks. The provincial government has prepared food items and medicine and will send them to the affected districts. However, the stock is adequate for short-term period only. According to the Department of Health, no significant health issues have been reported yet.

The communication infrastructure in Mentawai is damaged, but the Department of Social Affairs was able to make contact through RAPI (Radio Antar Penduduk Indonesia or Indonesian Inter-Citizen Radio). No significant damage and casualties have been reported in Mentawai.

OCHA is in close contact with authorities in West Sumatra and relevant government departments in Jakarta to monitor to development and situation in affected areas.

Useful websites:

Government:

www.bakornaspbp.go.id (National Coordination Board for Natural Disaster Management)

www.acehrecovery.bakornaspbp.go.id.

www.depsos.go.id (Department of Social Affairs)

www.depkes.go.id (Department of Health)

www.lin.go.id (National Information Board-Ministry of Information and Communication)

www.info-ri.com (Information-Republic Indonesia)

Other:

www. coe-dmha.org/tsunami.htm (daily chronology of key events)

www.apan-info.net - tsunami page (Pacific Command)

For further information please contact:

Oliver Lacey-Hall
Officer-in-Charge, OCHA Indonesia
Tel. +62 21 314 1308
Fax. +62 21 319 00 003
Mobile +62 811 825 278
Email: lacey-hall@un.org

Iain Disley
Reports Officer
Tel. +62 21 314 1308
Fax. +62 21 319 00 003
Mobile +62 812 10 50 835
Email: disley@un.org