Flores Quake: 2,000 Aftershocks and Counting

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck Indonesia’s Flores region, leaving communities dealing with deaths, injuries, damage, a tsunami and thousands of aftershocks. In this interview, Radio Islam International speaks to Dr Nelly Floridariama, Deputy for Geophysics at Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), about the scale of the disaster, why the shallow earthquake caused such intense shaking, the tsunami warning, and what residents should be watching for. Dr Floridariama explains that around 2,000 aftershocks have already been recorded, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.2, while stressing the importance of staying alert and following official information. She also discusses Indonesia’s earthquake and tsunami early-warning systems, community preparedness, and the natural warning signs of a possible tsunami.