Indonesia accelerates transport infrastructure repairs in earthquake-hit East Nusa Tenggara

Indonesia accelerates transport infrastructure repairs in earthquake-hit East Nusa Tenggara

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced on Friday that repairs to earthquake-damaged infrastructure in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are being expedited in stages to restore regional connectivity and ensure the smooth flow of aid to affected communities.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores, the largest island in NTT with over 2 million residents, on August 15, 2026 at 5:58 a.m. Central Indonesian Time. The epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 kilometers. The quake triggered tsunami waves at 16 locations across four provinces, with the highest wave measuring 0.94 meters at Maurole-Ende.

Transportation infrastructure damage assessment

Speaking in Jakarta, Purwagandhi said the government is prioritizing repairs to terminals, airports and ports across the province. Five of NTT's 15 airports sustained damage, though all runways remain operational with damage concentrated in terminal buildings. Two ports were heavily damaged and two ferry facilities were affected.

The disaster has displaced approximately 188,161 people as of August 30, with the largest concentrations in Nagekeo and Manggarai regencies, where around 50,000 individuals each are sheltering in temporary locations. Approximately 95,567 housing units were damaged across seven affected regencies.

Repair efforts prioritized to maintain logistics flows

Despite the extensive damage, Purwagandhi assured that facility repairs have not disrupted essential logistics flows.

We are starting to repair terminals, airports and ports affected by the earthquake in NTT,

the minister stated, noting that while several transportation facilities sustained damage, the impact was generally minor.

The minister confirmed that priority is being given to damaged sections with cracks or debris to ensure facilities can quickly resume operations. Repair work is being coordinated with relevant agencies to accelerate recovery efforts and support local needs.

Sea transport promoted to bypass blocked roads

Land distribution was temporarily disrupted by landslides that blocked access routes to several quake-affected areas in Flores. To bypass blocked roads, the ministry has promoted sea transport to maintain access to isolated communities. This approach is particularly suited to NTT's geography, as the province consists of over 96 islands with mountainous and hilly terrain and limited flat areas, making maritime connections vital for regional connectivity.

Purwagandhi emphasized that repairing transportation infrastructure is critical to maintaining regional connectivity, supporting public mobility and ensuring the smooth delivery of post-disaster aid. The geography of Flores allows logistics to be rerouted by sea to ensure uninterrupted distribution to local communities.

Ongoing challenges amid continued aftershocks

Recovery efforts continue amid ongoing seismic activity. As of August 30, over 9,756 aftershocks have been recorded since the main earthquake, ranging from magnitude 1.0 to 6.2, with aftershocks expected to continue for three to four weeks. The sustained seismic activity underscores the urgency of expedited infrastructure repairs to support affected populations.

Additional challenges include disrupted energy infrastructure, with only 32 of 52 fuel filling stations in Flores operating following the earthquake. Twenty stations remain down due to power outages, damage or safety issues, affecting transportation and logistics operations across the island.

The government is working in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency, which oversees disaster response efforts and reports directly to the President of Indonesia, to ensure comprehensive recovery support for earthquake-affected communities in East Nusa Tenggara.