Another earthquake rocks Lombok Island

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts Lombok on Sunday.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MATARAM -- The Indonesian island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara Province was again rocked by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake on Sunday. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, the epicenter of the earthquake that hit the resort island at 08.15 am local time was located around 55 kilometers away from east of Mataram. It was located at a depth of 16 km.

Head of the Mataram Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency Agus Riyanto said it was classified as a shallow earthquake as a result of Flores Back Arc Thrust activities. Tts tremors could be felt by the residents of North Lombok District.

The tremors could also be felt by those living in the districts of West and Central Lombok as well as in Mataram, the capital city of West Nusa Tenggara Province. "Although many of the people have panicked but we have yet to receive reports of casualties or damage," he said adding that the local residents should avoid misleading information on the latest quake.

Meanwhile, a local resident of Mataram city, Zuhriatul, said she was enjoying the Car-Free Day at the city center when the quake hit Lombok. "I do not feel the tremors and the people around me do not either. But I get informed that several residents, who are at Dasan Agung market, get panicked," said the mother of two children.

Due to the fact that it lies on Pacific ring of fire, Indonesia is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Over the past few weeks, a string of strong earthquakes repeatedly rocked Lombok Island, causing serious catastrophes.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of August 23, the strong earthquakes, including the 7.0-magnitude quake that shook Lombok Island on August 5, had killed at least 555 people and caused injuries to 829 others.

The majority of the fatalities were residents of North Lombok District areas, due to their close proximity to the strong earthquake's epicenter. The repeated earthquakes have also damaged 23,098 houses and forced 134,236 people to be displaced.

In response to the catastrophes, the central government had set a target of six months to complete the reconstruction of houses damaged by the previous earthquakes. Around 74 thousand earthquake-proof houses to be build to replace those destroyed in the recent earthquake on the eastern island.

"The reconstruction must be completed in six months' time. The president has ordered the reconstruction (of the damaged houses) after the emergency response period is over," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said during his recent visit to Lombok Island.

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