BMKG Warns of Potential Landslides, Flash Floods in E. Java

Head of the BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) Dwikorita Karnawati (Photo by: Documentation of Cabinet Secretariat)

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged the public in several areas of East Java Province to remain vigilant for the potential of landslides and flash floods if moderate to heavy rain occurs following a 6.1 magnitude tectonic earthquake on Saturday (10/4) at 2 p.m. Western Indonesian Time.

“Please be aware of the potential for landslides and flash floods if there is moderate to heavy rain after the earthquake,” Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati said in a virtual press statement.

Dwikorita went on to say that the BMKG’s regional office in East Java issued an early warning about moderate to heavy rain followed by lightning and strong winds in several areas ahead of downpours forecast for Sunday (11/4).

The rain is predicted to trigger flash floods and landslides on vulnerable and fragile slopes due to the earthquake in several areas, including Probolinggo Regency, Mojokerto Regency, Blitar Regency, Malang Regency, Batu Regency, Lumajang Regency, Pasuruan Regency, Situbondo Regency, Trenggalek Regency, and Tulungagung Regency.

BMKG also urged the public to move to an open area away from the slope and stay in stream valleys when it rains.

Dwikorita further said that BMKG recorded a tectonic quake with a 6.7 magnitude, which was updated to a magnitude 6.1 quake occurred in the Indian Ocean south of Java with an epicenter at coordinates 8.83 South Latitude and 112.5 East Longitude, or precisely located in the sea at the distance of 96 kilometers south of Kepanjen City, Malang Regency, East Java at a depth of 80 km.

“The earthquake occurred was a medium-sized earthquake due to subduction activity. The results of the analysis of the source mechanism show that the earthquake took place on thrust fault,” she said.

The Head of BMKG said that the shock caused by the earthquake was also felt in a number of areas including Malang, Blitar, Kediri, Trenggalek, Jombang, Nganjuk, Banjarnegara, Ponorogo, Madiun, Ngawi, Mojokerto, Klaten, Yogyakarta, and some areas in West Nusa Tenggara, and Bali.

“The modeling results show that the earthquake has no potential for a tsunami,” she said, adding BMKG recorded three aftershocks with a magnitude below 4.0.

At the end of her press statement, Dwikorita appealed to the public to remain calm and not to panic due to information from unreliable sources. The community is also urged to avoid cracked buildings or damage caused by the earthquake.

“Do ensure that official information only comes from BMKG which is informed through verified official communication channels (Instagram/Twitter via @infoBMKG), the official websites (http://www.bmkg.go.id or inatews.bmkg.go.id), telegram channel (https://t.me/InaTEWS_BMKG), or via Mobile Apps (for IOS and Android): wrs-bmkg or infobmkg,” she said. (PR of BMKG/UN) (RIF/MUR)