BALI –Monday’s early morning earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale sent people in South-east Asia and South Asia in a panic, but to date no tsunamis have been unleashed unlike the December 26 earthquake of last year.
About 2,000 people are feared dead on Indonesia’s island of Nias, off Sumatra’s west coast, in close proximity to where the recent earthquake struck.
This time though, there were speedy and effective warning systems in place from Malaysia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka so residents could make a dash for safety. A tsunami alert was sent out from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and Japan to the Indian Ocean countries.
Bali, as before escaped unscathed from the latest earthquake. The island of Bali is 2,500km from the epicenter of the earthquake. Sumatra and Java have also not been affected by the earthquake.
In the meantime, the Indonesian government is monitoring the situation closely, with the public receiving daily TV reports from Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency.
The Jakarta Post reported that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, held an emergency cabinet meeting yesterday to coordinate the relief operation for Nias, where he is also panning to visit.
He also welcomed the emergency aid of the international community and the offers to help Indonesia.
Singapore and Japan are sending relief goods, paramedics and troops. While Australia has promised US$1 million, and China said it would donate US$300,000.