Flores, JurnalPost.com — A morning that should have marked the start of daily routines turned into a tense situation when an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at approximately 05.58 Central Indonesian Time.
The tremors not only caused widespread panic but also damaged several buildings and public facilities, including the Bank NTT Ruteng Branch office and the Manggarai Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Ruteng.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the epicenter was located at sea, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Nagekeo, at a depth of 15 kilometers. The earthquake was triggered by the activity of the Flores Back-Arc Thrust or Flores Back-Arc Thrust.
The earthquake also triggered a tsunami early warning, which was later declared lifted by the BMKG.
The structural damage caused by this disaster illustrates how quickly community activities can be disrupted. Buildings previously used for work, public services, and daily operations were suddenly rendered non-functional.
However, in my view, the most pressing issue is not merely the severity of the structural damage. There is a far more significant concern: human safety, disaster preparedness, and the community's ability to resume life after an emergency.
When Earthquakes Strike Without Warning
Earthquakes are natural disasters that cannot yet be precisely predicted. Tremors can occur while people are resting, working, performing household chores, or visiting public facilities.
Such situations can induce panic, especially if individuals are unaware of the necessary steps to protect themselves.
When an earthquake occurs, split-second decisions can determine one's survival.
If inside a building, people should protect their heads and necks, take cover under a sturdy table if possible, and stay away from glass and objects that could fall.
Once the shaking stops, evacuation should be carried out while remaining aware of the surroundings and following official instructions.
For those in coastal areas who feel strong or prolonged tremors, vigilance regarding potential tsunamis is essential. Evacuating to higher ground or moving away from the coast should be done immediately without waiting for the situation to escalate.
In my opinion, self-rescue knowledge should be a fundamental skill for every citizen.
Disaster preparedness should not be limited to emergency responders. Children, students, workers, and the elderly all need to know simple steps that can reduce risks when an earthquake occurs.
Hospital Damage and the Importance of Patient Safety
One of the impacts of the Flores earthquake that concerns me most is the damage to health facilities in Ruteng.
The Manggarai Regional General Hospital (RSUD) was among the buildings affected. Damage to hospital facilities forced patient care to be adjusted to emergency conditions.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on August 16, 2026 that patient services and administrative activities were temporarily moved to the hospital grounds. The government is also preparing to build a field hospital to support healthcare services.
This situation demonstrates that hospitals, which should be places of refuge and medical assistance, are also vulnerable when disaster strikes.
To me, this is deeply concerning.
Patients undergoing treatment are not always in a condition to save themselves independently. Many require assistance from medical staff, specialized equipment, and continuous care that cannot be interrupted.
Meanwhile, healthcare workers face an incredibly difficult situation, needing to ensure their own safety while continuing to provide care to patients.
In such circumstances, hospital evacuation procedures are vital.
Health facilities must have clear evacuation routes, safe assembly points, and contingency plans for temporary service if the main building becomes unusable.
Structural integrity assessments after an earthquake must also be a priority before rooms are cleared for reuse.
In my view, the safety of patients and medical staff must never be sacrificed to maintain operations within a compromised building.
While healthcare services must continue, the safety of everyone inside remains the top priority.
The Impact of the Earthquake on Economic Activity
Beyond health facilities, the Flores earthquake also disrupted local economic activities.
One of the facilities damaged was the Bank NTT Ruteng Branch office in Manggarai Regency.
Bank NTT confirmed damage to the office building. To ensure services continued, banking operations were temporarily relocated to the Manggarai Regency Youth and Sports Office building starting August 18, 2026.
This move highlights the importance of public service institutions being prepared for emergencies.
Banks play a major role in the community's economic life, facilitating transactions, savings, payments, and business operations.
If banking services are halted by a disaster, the impact is felt by many.
Traders, small business owners, workers, and residents needing access to financial services can face significant difficulties if no alternative services are available.
In my opinion, post-disaster recovery is not just about repairing damaged buildings; the continuity of public services must also be addressed.
Banking institutions need to provide clear information regarding office status, available services, and alternative transaction methods for customers.
The government must also focus on the economic recovery of affected residents, especially those who have lost their homes, suffered damage to their businesses, or are struggling to return to work.
Disaster impacts do not end when the shaking stops. For many, the struggle to rebuild their lives only begins after the emergency phase passes.
The Importance of Accurate Information During Disasters
Another crucial aspect of disaster management is the public's ability to filter information.
When a major earthquake occurs, photos and videos of the damage often circulate rapidly on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok.
On one hand, this information can help the public understand the situation on the ground.
On the other hand, unverified information can lead to misunderstandings and panic.
For instance, a photo of a damaged building does not necessarily represent the extent of damage across the entire affected region.
Similarly, videos showing public panic do not always explain the actual conditions, casualty numbers, or the progress of disaster response efforts.
I believe the public should make it a habit to verify information before sharing it with others.
Information regarding earthquake magnitude, epicenter, and tsunami potential should be obtained from the BMKG. Meanwhile, updates on casualties, shelters, aid, and emergency response should be verified through the BNPB, BPBD, and local government.
Caution in sharing information is a form of care for those currently facing the disaster.
Accurate information helps people make life-saving decisions, whereas misinformation can worsen the situation.
In the digital age, care is shown not only through material aid but also through responsible social media use.
Turning Disasters into Lessons for Preparedness
The Flores earthquake should serve as a collective evaluation, particularly regarding the readiness of buildings and public facilities for disasters.
Indonesia is located in a region with high tectonic activity. This geographical reality makes earthquake risk a factor that must be considered in all development and daily life.
Therefore, public facilities such as hospitals, schools, government offices, and service buildings must meet established safety standards.
Building construction should not focus solely on aesthetics and comfort; structural strength and the ability to withstand tremors must be key considerations.
Regular building inspections are essential, especially for facilities used by large numbers of people daily.
If damage or structural risks are identified, repairs must be carried out immediately based on technical assessments.
Beyond infrastructure readiness, the public also needs ongoing disaster education.
Earthquake simulations and evacuation drills can serve as learning tools to ensure the public understands what to do in an emergency.
These activities can be conducted in schools, universities, workplaces, and residential neighborhoods.
In my view, disaster education should not only be provided after a major disaster occurs.
Preparedness must be built while conditions are still safe, so that the community possesses the knowledge and habits to reduce risks when an emergency arises.
Human Safety Must Be the Priority
Ultimately, the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Flores on August 15, 2026 serves as a reminder that humans cannot stop natural disasters from occurring.
However, we still have the opportunity to prepare, reduce risks, and determine the best course of action when disaster strikes.
Repairing damaged buildings requires time, effort, and money, and disrupted economic activities require a recovery process.
Yet, human safety is far more valuable than material loss.
The government must ensure that disaster response is swift and targeted. Personnel must receive adequate support, while the community must foster a spirit of mutual assistance without neglecting personal safety.
Care can be expressed through simple actions, from sharing accurate information and providing targeted aid to supporting the recovery of affected residents.
In my opinion, a resilient society is not one that never experiences a disaster.
A resilient society is one that possesses knowledge, works together, looks out for one another, and continues to strive to rise after facing adversity.
The Flores earthquake teaches us that preparedness is not just the responsibility of the government or disaster agencies, but the responsibility of the entire community.
Because while we may not be able to determine when the earth will shake, we can determine how prepared we are to face it and mitigate its impact.
From Flores, we are reminded once again that human safety must always be the priority, while preparedness and care serve as our strength in facing difficult times.
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