BNPB Verification Confirms 12,367 Homes Assessed in Manggarai Barat

Labuan Bajo — The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that 51,591 homes damaged by the Flores earthquake have passed verification and validation, including 12,367 homes in Manggarai Barat, based on data compiled up to 7 September 2026.

The verification figures come from BNPB’s post-disaster data for seven affected districts following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on 15 August 2026. According to reports citing BNPB’s Directorate of Operations Control, the 51,591 verified homes represent 50.39 percent of an initial list of 102,384 homes targeted for assessment.

In Manggarai Barat, which includes Labuan Bajo and surrounding settlements, verification has covered 12,367 homes from an initial 12,613-home list, giving the district one of the highest verification rates among the affected areas. BNPB data, as relayed by several national outlets, classify the Manggarai Barat verification result as 468 homes heavily damaged, 1,930 moderately damaged, 4,187 lightly damaged and 5,782 not damaged.

Across the seven districts, BNPB’s preliminary breakdown of the 51,591 verified homes shows 2,382 homes heavily damaged, 7,276 moderately damaged, 14,177 lightly damaged and 27,756 not damaged. Officials have stressed that these numbers remain provisional because the verification and validation process continues in the field and may adjust earlier records.

Verification as a basis for recovery planning

BNPB and central government officials have described the verification exercise as a foundation for post-disaster needs assessments and rehabilitation plans rather than a direct measure of completed repairs. The agency’s procedures follow national regulations on post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction planning, which use verified housing damage data to allocate assistance for houses categorized as lightly, moderately or heavily damaged.

In Manggarai Barat, the district government has undertaken its own verification of housing damage based on reports from village and urban ward authorities. A circular signed by Regent Edistasius Endi on 9 September 2026 states that 13,656 homes were reported damaged in the district and subsequently verified during field checks conducted between 28 August and 9 September 2026.

According to that circular, 357 homes were classified as heavily damaged, 1,400 as moderately damaged, 3,892 as lightly damaged, 7,851 as “not in accordance with classification” with damage levels between 1–19 percent, and 56 homes with zero percent damage. Homes with damage below 20 percent were deemed ineligible for central government assistance through BNPB, while those at or above 20 percent qualify for support under light, moderate or heavy damage categories.

The district government opened a three-day objection period from 10 to 12 September 2026 for residents to contest the verification results via a dedicated application, reflecting local concern over how damage classifications translate into aid.

Implications for Labuan Bajo’s tourism hub

Manggarai Barat serves as the administrative centre for Labuan Bajo, the main gateway to Komodo National Park. Housing verification and reconstruction therefore have an indirect link to the tourism economy, which relies on local residents for work in accommodation, food services, boat operations, guiding and transport.

Available BNPB and district reports, however, focus on housing damage, casualties and the technical details of verification. They do not specify how many tourism workers live in damaged homes, whether hotels or liveaboard operators have reduced services, or whether roads, ports and airports used by visitors have experienced significant disruption.

Based on the current record, Manggarai Barat’s housing verification is relatively advanced compared with the regional total, but verification is not the same as reconstruction, and documented links to tourism performance have yet to appear in official or media reporting.

Sources

• RRI Ende – "BNPB Verifikasi 51.591 Rumah Terdampak Gempa Flores"
• Owrite – "BNPB Verifikasi 51.591 Rumah Pascagempa NTT, Data Awal Tak Sepenuhnya Cocok"
• Media Indonesia – "Tanggap Darurat Gempa di Flores Berakhir, Kini Masuk Pemulihan"
• Detik Bali/Nusra – "Sejumlah Fasilitas Strategis Manggarai Timur Berstatus Merah Usai Gempa"
• Okezone News – "Hampir Sebulan, Gempa Susulan Flores Capai 15.156 Kali"
• Akurat NTT – "Evaluasi Penanganan Gempa Flores, Perpanjangan Masa Tanggap Darurat Tidak di Semua Daerah Terdampak"