BALINEWSID.COM, JAKARTA — More than 5,000 residents remain in evacuation shelters after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (Aug. 15, 2026). As of Sunday (Aug. 16) at midnight WIB, the death toll had reached 53, while at least 153 people were reported injured.

According to the latest data from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the largest concentration of evacuees is in Sikka Regency, where 3,356 people have sought shelter. Of that number, 1,356 are staying at Samador Sports Hall, while another 2,000 residents are sheltering independently across 10 locations.

In Manggarai Regency, the number of evacuees has reached 2,078. Around 500 people have also been evacuated in Nagekeo Regency. Evacuees have also been reported in Bima and the Selayar Islands.

Meeting the basic needs of survivors has become an urgent priority, particularly in areas with large numbers of evacuees. In Manggarai, residents urgently need dozens of emergency tents, 30 tons of rice, medicines, 1,000 blankets, 1,000 portable beds, 1,000 sleeping mats, clean-water tanks and generators.

The main earthquake was followed by 341 aftershocks, causing significant damage across several parts of NTT. Manggarai recorded the highest number of fatalities at 23, followed by East Manggarai with 17 deaths.

Other fatalities were reported in Sikka, West Manggarai, Ende and Nagekeo. A total of 153 people have been reported injured, with varying degrees of severity.

The earthquake also caused extensive damage to residential buildings. Preliminary data from NTT recorded 914 houses heavily damaged, 126 moderately damaged and 317 lightly damaged.

Public facilities were also affected, including 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities and 38 government offices.

NTT Government Processes Emergency Status

The NTT provincial government is currently processing a decision to declare a 14-day emergency response period to accelerate disaster management efforts.

Several affected regencies have already declared emergency statuses. Manggarai Regency has declared a Disaster Emergency Response period for 90 days, from Aug. 15 to Nov. 13, 2026, under Regent Decree No. 319 of 2026. The local government has also established an emergency command post through Regent Decree No. 320 of 2026.

Ngada Regency has declared a Disaster Emergency Response period and established an emergency command post for 30 days, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, 2026, under Regent Decrees No. 441 and No. 442/KEP/HK/2026.

Meanwhile, East Manggarai Regency has declared a Disaster Emergency Alert status through Sept. 4, 2026, under Regent Decree No. HK/141/2026.

Joint response teams and regional disaster management agencies (BPBD) continue to conduct field assessments, data collection and verification in affected areas. To strengthen emergency medical services, a field hospital has been established and is operating in Reok District, Manggarai Regency.

In terms of transportation and logistics, the Larantuka-Maumere land route has been reconnected and is passable. However, the road linking Ende and Nagekeo remains cut off due to earthquake damage. Response teams are continuing to seek alternative routes to ensure the distribution of relief supplies and support evacuation efforts.

Providing basic necessities for evacuees and restoring access to isolated areas remain the key challenges in the emergency response following the NTT earthquake.