BMKG sets safer rebuilding rules for Flores after earthquake

Flores — BMKG said on 17 September 2026 that post-earthquake conditions in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, were relatively stable, allowing rehabilitation and reconstruction to begin. The agency said geophysical data and soil-survey results should guide rebuilding so that new structures comply with earthquake-resistant construction principles.

BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani made the statement during a presidential limited meeting on disaster mitigation and the handling of the Flores earthquake. BMKG said it had coordinated with the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government to provide geophysical information for reconstruction planning.

The agency said its discussions with the governor and the provincial Public Works and Housing Office covered survey findings on ground conditions. Those findings are intended to support more targeted rebuilding and the application of earthquake-resistant construction standards.

Why safer reconstruction matters in Flores

BMKG’s earlier field-survey report said the Flores earthquake sequence had entered a significant decline in aftershock activity. The agency recorded 15.722 aftershocks in the first 30 days after the main earthquake, ranging from M0,9 to M6,2, with 190 felt by residents.

The 15 August 2026 main earthquake had a magnitude of M7,7, BMKG said. Field surveys conducted from 15–25 August 2026 covered seven affected regencies: West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ngada, Nagekeo, Ende and Sikka.

BMKG reported maximum shaking of VII MMI in parts of West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Nagekeo and Sikka. It also reported indications of liquefaction, described as sand boil, in Waekokak village, Aesesa district, Nagekeo regency.

Microzonation found that affected areas were generally dominated by medium soil, classified as SD. Reok, Mbay and Marapokot were identified as having soft soil, classified as SE, which can amplify shaking.

BMKG said its monitoring and survey data would provide technical input for safe and sustainable rehabilitation and reconstruction. The agency also said technical seismology, structural-health monitoring, microzonation and earthquake studies would support more resilient infrastructure in hazard-prone areas.

Sources

• BMKG — Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency
• The Jakarta Post — established national news organisation
• fides.org