https://komodotimes.com/Komodo Times reports on Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo and Flores: conservation, marine life and diving, travel and access, the tourism economy, explainers and data.en© 2026 PT. Kabar Delapan Belashttps://komodotimes.com/assets/site/brand/icon-144.pnghttps://komodotimes.com/144144Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:05:29 +080015 https://komodotimes.com/how-fast-are-komodo-dragons-the-short-burst-answerhttps://komodotimes.com/how-fast-are-komodo-dragons-the-short-burst-answerFri, 23 Oct 2026 06:05:29 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersKomodo dragons can reach 20 kilometres per hour in brief bursts. The speed supports a stealth-and-ambush hunting strategy, not a long-distance chase, according to two independent wildlife sources. https://komodotimes.com/bmkg-warns-of-25-metre-waves-in-komodo-watershttps://komodotimes.com/bmkg-warns-of-25-metre-waves-in-komodo-watersThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:01:21 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersBMKG forecast 1,25 to 2,5 metre waves in Komodo National Park waters from 21 October 2026 through Thursday morning, 22 October 2026 WITA. Fishing boats and barges faced safety risks. https://komodotimes.com/police-arrest-travel-operator-after-labuan-bajo-tourist-complaintshttps://komodotimes.com/police-arrest-travel-operator-after-labuan-bajo-tourist-complaintsWed, 21 Oct 2026 20:32:58 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersPolice arrested Kristoforus Aman after six Italian tourists reported paying for a six-day Komodo sea-tour package. Three Chinese tourists later filed a separate complaint. https://komodotimes.com/what-lewotobi-risk-maps-mean-for-village-protection-in-floreshttps://komodotimes.com/what-lewotobi-risk-maps-mean-for-village-protection-in-floresFri, 16 Oct 2026 20:31:59 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA Flores policy analysis links Lewotobi recovery to village-level protection based on disaster-risk maps. Reports say housing remains uncertain for affected residents. https://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-officials-promote-wae-lolos-beyond-komodo-parkhttps://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-officials-promote-wae-lolos-beyond-komodo-parkSun, 04 Oct 2026 13:32:58 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA 3 October 2026 report identifies Wae Lolos as a village-tourism destination promoted beyond Komodo National Park, adding nature, culture and religious tourism to Labuan Bajo’s offer. https://komodotimes.com/ash-disruptions-can-still-affect-labuan-bajo-flightshttps://komodotimes.com/ash-disruptions-can-still-affect-labuan-bajo-flightsFri, 02 Oct 2026 20:32:21 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersBMKG said Labuan Bajo visibility remained 8–10 kilometres, but volcanic ash affecting another airport in an aircraft rotation could still disrupt flights. https://komodotimes.com/what-north-flores-27-september-sea-forecast-meanshttps://komodotimes.com/what-north-flores-27-september-sea-forecast-meansSun, 27 Sep 2026 10:35:21 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersBMKG’s 27 September 2026 North Flores marine forecast reports gusts up to 25 knots and waves around 1.1 metres, while advising caution and attention to local authorities. https://komodotimes.com/bmkg-revises-flores-earthquake-to-magnitude-51https://komodotimes.com/bmkg-revises-flores-earthquake-to-magnitude-51Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:35:20 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersBMKG revised the 21 September earthquake near Manggarai Timur to magnitude 5.1 at 10 kilometres deep. It reported no tsunami potential and shaking across Flores towns. https://komodotimes.com/how-much-does-a-komodo-dragon-weighhttps://komodotimes.com/how-much-does-a-komodo-dragon-weighTue, 22 Sep 2026 06:16:47 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersAdult Komodo dragons usually weigh about 70 kilograms in the wild, but the heaviest verified specimen reached 166 kilograms, according to Smithsonian and San Diego Zoo sources. https://komodotimes.com/are-komodo-dragons-poisonous-what-their-bite-really-doeshttps://komodotimes.com/are-komodo-dragons-poisonous-what-their-bite-really-doesMon, 21 Sep 2026 18:12:16 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersKomodo dragons are not poisonous in the usual sense, but they are venomous lizards. Their bite can cause severe injury, blood loss and, in rare cases, death, so the distinction matters for visitors to Komodo National Park. https://komodotimes.com/where-do-komodo-dragons-live-their-wild-range-in-indonesiahttps://komodotimes.com/where-do-komodo-dragons-live-their-wild-range-in-indonesiaMon, 21 Sep 2026 07:27:51 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersKomodo dragons are wild only in a small part of eastern Indonesia, centered on Komodo National Park and nearby Flores. They favor dry savanna, open forest, coastal valleys and other open habitats, not dense rainforest. https://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-in-september-around-30-33c-with-high-humidityhttps://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-in-september-around-30-33c-with-high-humidityMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:42:10 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersSeptember in Labuan Bajo is typically hot and humid, with daytime temperatures around 30–33°C, humidity near 70% and light to moderate monthly rainfall. https://komodotimes.com/festival-jelajah-maumere-2026-blends-sikka-culture-with-marine-themed-tourismhttps://komodotimes.com/festival-jelajah-maumere-2026-blends-sikka-culture-with-marine-themed-tourismMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:41:06 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s national tourism portal lists Festival Jelajah Maumere 2026 as a three-day coastal event in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, combining Sikka ikat, boat parades, coastal performances, seafood and marine-themed activities such… https://komodotimes.com/flores-timur-awaits-details-of-national-rice-aid-extensionhttps://komodotimes.com/flores-timur-awaits-details-of-national-rice-aid-extensionMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:40:06 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s National Food Agency has confirmed that subsidised rice assistance will run through December 2026, but publicly available data do not yet detail how the extended programme will be implemented in Flores Timur district. https://komodotimes.com/east-flores-seeks-jkn-funding-for-38647-residentshttps://komodotimes.com/east-flores-seeks-jkn-funding-for-38647-residentsMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:38:37 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersEast Flores regency has asked Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs to help finance National Health Insurance (JKN) coverage for 38,647 residents, aiming to preserve universal health coverage while expanding protection for vulnerable… https://komodotimes.com/drone-use-in-komodo-national-park-requires-simaksi-beyond-sipp-tahttps://komodotimes.com/drone-use-in-komodo-national-park-requires-simaksi-beyond-sipp-taMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:56 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s SIPP-TA drone registration system does not grant automatic permission to fly inside Komodo National Park. https://komodotimes.com/fish-prices-double-at-wairkoja-market-after-sikka-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/fish-prices-double-at-wairkoja-market-after-sikka-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:45 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersFish at Wairkoja Market in Maumere, Sikka regency, was reported at around Rp600,000 per box on Friday, 4 September 2026, roughly double pre-quake levels, with traders citing fog at sea and disrupted distribution after the August earthquake. https://komodotimes.com/indosat-offers-relief-connectivity-after-flores-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/indosat-offers-relief-connectivity-after-flores-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:26 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndosat says it is delivering a 3 GB data, calls and SMS package plus basic supplies to communities in Flores affected by the 15 August 2026 earthquake and tsunami, while working to restore sites across East Nusa Tenggara. https://komodotimes.com/ntt-salt-estate-trials-begin-as-indonesia-targets-zero-imports-by-2029https://komodotimes.com/ntt-salt-estate-trials-begin-as-indonesia-targets-zero-imports-by-2029Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:13 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia plans to end salt imports by 2029 and lift domestic production from 1 to 5 million tons a year, leaning on a new Kawasan Sentra Industri Garam Nasional in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, where 616 hectares of ponds are in trials… https://komodotimes.com/indonesias-k-sign-salt-project-targets-first-harvest-in-november-2026https://komodotimes.com/indonesias-k-sign-salt-project-targets-first-harvest-in-november-2026Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:11 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s K-SIGN salt project in Rote Ndao has completed its first 616-hectare phase and entered production trials, with the government targeting a first harvest in November 2026. https://komodotimes.com/garuda-indonesias-new-23-kilogram-one-bag-rule-explainedhttps://komodotimes.com/garuda-indonesias-new-23-kilogram-one-bag-rule-explainedMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:37:06 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersGaruda Indonesia has switched from a weight-based to a piece-based checked-baggage system for tickets issued from 1 September 2026. https://komodotimes.com/dpr-member-presses-tourism-ministry-over-food-waste-in-labuan-bajohttps://komodotimes.com/dpr-member-presses-tourism-ministry-over-food-waste-in-labuan-bajoMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:36:51 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA senior member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives has urged the Tourism Ministry to give “serious attention” to food waste from tourism businesses in destinations including Labuan Bajo, amid research showing non-household sources are… https://komodotimes.com/bbksda-ntt-reopens-three-nature-tourism-areas-with-50-visitor-caphttps://komodotimes.com/bbksda-ntt-reopens-three-nature-tourism-areas-with-50-visitor-capMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:36:31 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersEast Nusa Tenggara’s conservation agency has reopened TWA Ruteng, TWA 17 Pulau and TWA Gugus Pulau Teluk Maumere after the August 2026 Flores earthquake, keeping a strict visitor cap at TWA 17 Pulau and enforcing safety and humanitarian… https://komodotimes.com/35-rabies-exposure-bite-cases-logged-in-flores-earthquake-responsehttps://komodotimes.com/35-rabies-exposure-bite-cases-logged-in-flores-earthquake-responseMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:35:51 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s Health Ministry reported 35 animal-bite cases involving rabies-transmitting animals during Flores’ earthquake response, saying all identified patients received vaccination. https://komodotimes.com/ntt-quake-survivors-logged-9668-ispa-cases-in-flores-in-late-augusthttps://komodotimes.com/ntt-quake-survivors-logged-9668-ispa-cases-in-flores-in-late-augustMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:35:33 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s Health Ministry reported 9,668 cases of acute respiratory infection (ISPA) among survivors of the August 2026 NTT earthquake in seven districts on Flores during 15–25 August. https://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-customs-seize-880000-untaxed-cigarettes-at-wae-kelambu-porthttps://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-customs-seize-880000-untaxed-cigarettes-at-wae-kelambu-portMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:35:08 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersCustoms officials in Labuan Bajo say they seized 880,000 machine-made kretek cigarettes without excise bands from an expedition truck at Wae Kelambu Port, valuing them at about Rp1.3 billion. https://komodotimes.com/myalgia-tops-3101-earthquake-health-visits-in-east-manggaraihttps://komodotimes.com/myalgia-tops-3101-earthquake-health-visits-in-east-manggaraiMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:35:04 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersHealth teams from West Nusa Tenggara had delivered 3,101 services in East Manggarai by Aug. 24, with myalgia the top complaint, according to Indonesian and ministry reporting. https://komodotimes.com/pertaminas-24-hour-medical-post-supports-quake-hit-reokhttps://komodotimes.com/pertaminas-24-hour-medical-post-supports-quake-hit-reokMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:35:02 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersPertamina Patra Niaga has opened a free, 24-hour medical post at Golo Conggo Field in Reok, treating more than 200 residents in its first three days. https://komodotimes.com/navy-hospital-ship-kri-dr-soeharso-backs-manggarai-health-services-after-ntt-quakehttps://komodotimes.com/navy-hospital-ship-kri-dr-soeharso-backs-manggarai-health-services-after-ntt-quakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:34:43 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s Navy hospital ship KRI dr. Soeharso-990 has operated as a floating hospital at Reo Port in Manggarai after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, treating more than 20 patients and reinforcing damaged health… https://komodotimes.com/bmkg-says-flores-aftershocks-may-ease-to-low-level-by-late-septemberhttps://komodotimes.com/bmkg-says-flores-aftershocks-may-ease-to-low-level-by-late-septemberMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:34:32 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s BMKG says aftershock activity from the 15 August 2026 Flores earthquake is showing a decay trend and may reach a relatively low level around late September. https://komodotimes.com/why-rsud-ruteng-moved-surgery-outside-after-the-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/why-rsud-ruteng-moved-surgery-outside-after-the-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:58 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersEarthquake damage forced RSUD Ruteng to move surgery and patient care into emergency tents and a new field hospital at Golo Dukal Stadium, where the Health Ministry said operating-room services continued. https://komodotimes.com/pln-restores-flores-power-after-quake-as-labuan-bajo-tourism-reopenshttps://komodotimes.com/pln-restores-flores-power-after-quake-as-labuan-bajo-tourism-reopensMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:57 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersPLN says it restored power to all customers affected by the magnitude 7.7 Flores earthquake by 17:40 WITA on 18 August 2026, while tourism and disaster authorities carried out separate checks before reopening Labuan Bajo and Komodo… https://komodotimes.com/telkomsels-rp1-emergency-package-supports-flores-quake-survivorshttps://komodotimes.com/telkomsels-rp1-emergency-package-supports-flores-quake-survivorsMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:41 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersTelkomsel introduced a Rp1 emergency communications package for customers in Flores affected by the mid-August 2026 earthquake. https://komodotimes.com/telkomgroup-says-85-of-ntt-bts-back-in-service-by-august-16https://komodotimes.com/telkomgroup-says-85-of-ntt-bts-back-in-service-by-august-16Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:36 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersTelkomGroup reported that 85 percent of its 735 BTS sites in Nusa Tenggara Timur were operating by 16 August after the Flores Sea earthquake, while Komdigi monitoring cited by IHCP recorded 683 of 794 sites functioning across 11 districts… https://komodotimes.com/after-flores-quake-bkkbn-links-sanitation-drive-to-high-ntt-stunting-ratehttps://komodotimes.com/after-flores-quake-bkkbn-links-sanitation-drive-to-high-ntt-stunting-rateMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:32 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s family-planning agency BKKBN and fundraising platform Kitabisa are coordinating clean water, sanitation and nutrition support for families affected by the 15 August 2026 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, where child stunting… https://komodotimes.com/beo-mano-sees-visitor-surge-after-august-flores-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/beo-mano-sees-visitor-surge-after-august-flores-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:17 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersVisitor numbers at Beo Mano in East Manggarai reportedly rose by nearly 50% in August–September 2026 compared with the previous year, as travellers shifted from temporarily closed inland attractions after the 15 August Flores earthquake. https://komodotimes.com/telkoms-three-day-ntt-recovery-highlights-digital-resilience-after-flores-quakehttps://komodotimes.com/telkoms-three-day-ntt-recovery-highlights-digital-resilience-after-flores-quakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:15 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersTelkom says ring-configured fibre and backup power helped restore all affected telecommunications and digital services across East Nusa Tenggara within three days of the 15 August 2026 Flores earthquake, offering an early test of digital… https://komodotimes.com/telecom-recovery-in-flores-speeds-earthquake-relief-coordinationhttps://komodotimes.com/telecom-recovery-in-flores-speeds-earthquake-relief-coordinationMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:14 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersTelecommunications in Flores and Nusa Tenggara Timur were largely restored within days of the 15 August earthquake and tsunami, with an IHCP situation report recording 86.02 percent of sites back in service and later company data… https://komodotimes.com/asitas-tourism-updates-dont-replace-official-safety-clearancehttps://komodotimes.com/asitas-tourism-updates-dont-replace-official-safety-clearanceMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:12 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndustry association ASITA NTT has been updating members and media on tourism activity in Flores after the 15 August 2026 earthquake. https://komodotimes.com/bpolbf-tourism-hotline-guides-flores-visitors-after-august-2026-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/bpolbf-tourism-hotline-guides-flores-visitors-after-august-2026-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:10 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s tourism authorities activated BPOLBF’s WhatsApp hotline +62 811-3879-4555 after the August 2026 Flores earthquake to give travellers verified updates on destination conditions, access and accommodation. https://komodotimes.com/bmkg-flores-insar-article-explains-method-not-detailed-deformation-maphttps://komodotimes.com/bmkg-flores-insar-article-explains-method-not-detailed-deformation-mapMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:05 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s geophysics agency BMKG has released an initial article on using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to map ground deformation from the 15 August 2026 Flores magnitude-7.7 earthquake, explaining the method’s… https://komodotimes.com/health-ministry-sets-one-week-goal-for-ntts-quake-hit-hospitalshttps://komodotimes.com/health-ministry-sets-one-week-goal-for-ntts-quake-hit-hospitalsMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:04 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s Health Ministry has set a one-week target to restore basic operations at earthquake-damaged hospitals in East Nusa Tenggara, prioritising trauma surgery, maternal and child health, and dialysis while a longer two-week goal… https://komodotimes.com/what-tourism-open-means-in-labuan-bajo-after-the-flores-quakehttps://komodotimes.com/what-tourism-open-means-in-labuan-bajo-after-the-flores-quakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:02 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersMarine tourism in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park has largely returned to normal after the 15 August Flores earthquake, but officials stress that inland destinations, airports and some attractions across East Nusa Tenggara remain… https://komodotimes.com/bmkgs-161metre-reo-tsunami-reading-put-in-contexthttps://komodotimes.com/bmkgs-161metre-reo-tsunami-reading-put-in-contextMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:33:00 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s BMKG recorded a 1.61‑metre tsunami at Reo, northern Manggarai, after the magnitude 7.7 Flores earthquake on 15 August 2026. https://komodotimes.com/inflatable-field-hospitals-bolster-care-after-flores-earthquakehttps://komodotimes.com/inflatable-field-hospitals-bolster-care-after-flores-earthquakeMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:32:58 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersIndonesia’s Health Ministry has deployed inflatable field hospitals at RSUD Ruteng and RSUD Aeramo to deliver emergency surgery and critical care outside damaged buildings following the 15 August Flores earthquake and continuing… https://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-travel-agent-probed-after-italians-report-rp798m-trip-losshttps://komodotimes.com/labuan-bajo-travel-agent-probed-after-italians-report-rp798m-trip-lossMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:31:13 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersPolice in Manggarai Barat are investigating reports that three Italian tourists lost Rp79.8 million after paying a Labuan Bajo travel agent for a liveaboard trip that did not proceed as planned, underscoring the need for visitors to verify… https://komodotimes.com/study-finds-tourism-around-komodo-dragons-drives-tension-over-conservation-and-growthhttps://komodotimes.com/study-finds-tourism-around-komodo-dragons-drives-tension-over-conservation-and-growthMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:29:35 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA 2026 peer-reviewed study on Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park finds that tourism growth around Komodo dragons has increased conservation funding and regional development prospects while also generating ecological risks and community… https://komodotimes.com/komodo-tourism-study-highlights-culture-habitat-and-governance-in-labuan-bajohttps://komodotimes.com/komodo-tourism-study-highlights-culture-habitat-and-governance-in-labuan-bajoMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:29:33 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA 2026 journal article and recent conservation plans show how Komodo dragon tourism links local beliefs, national policy, habitat protection and development in and around Labuan Bajo, while leaving key questions about water, land and… https://komodotimes.com/study-proposes-community-based-tourism-model-for-wae-loloshttps://komodotimes.com/study-proposes-community-based-tourism-model-for-wae-lolosMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:29:14 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersA 2026 academic paper proposes community-based tourism governance for Wae Lolos in West Manggarai, but says implementation is still weak and no village operating rules are in place. https://komodotimes.com/dengue-risk-in-manggarai-barat-what-residents-and-visitors-should-knowhttps://komodotimes.com/dengue-risk-in-manggarai-barat-what-residents-and-visitors-should-knowMon, 21 Sep 2026 02:27:00 +0800Mukmin JohnExplainersDengue fever remains a significant health concern in Manggarai Barat, which recorded a major rise in cases in 2024.