Cianjur, W Java (ANTARA) - Following the 3.0-magnitude earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, the district's Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has dispatched officers and volunteers to monitor areas prone to landslides and earthquakes in some sub-districts.
The epicenter of the shallow quake, which was caused by local fault activity, was located at 6.99 degrees south latitude and 107.16 degrees east longitude, or at a distance of 18 kilometers southeast of Cianjur, at a depth of 5 kilometers, secretary of the agency Rudi Labis said on Monday.
"Although the quake was not too significant in a number of sub-districts such as Cibeber, it was enough to make the public panic. We are still collecting data and monitoring the situation related to the impact of the earthquake. As of this afternoon, there have been no reports of damage or other earthquake impacts," he informed.
Officers and Disaster Resilient Volunteers are still conducting surveillance and data collection related to the earthquake that occurred for a few seconds since some areas in Cibeber sub-district, which also reported shocks, are considered to be prone to landslides and ground movements, he said.
The agency has also dispatched volunteers to each sub-district and village to monitor the impact of the earthquake, he informed.
However, there were no reports as of Monday evening regarding damage to homes or buildings as well as the occurrence of natural disasters such as landslides or quakes, he added.
"We urge residents in disaster-prone areas throughout Cianjur to immediately report if they see signs of impending natural disaster and evacuate immediately if they see (these) signs, especially when it rains with heavy intensity for more than two hours," he said.
He also appealed to road users, whether on the main route or using connecting roads between sub-districts and villages to be extra cautious, especially during rainfall and when crossing disaster-prone routes such as the north, east, and south of Cianjur.
"(From) the main route to connecting roads between sub-districts and villages, most of them are prone to landslides, floods, and falling trees. Don't stand under a big old tree because it has the risk of falling, make sure the condition of the vehicle is roadworthy," he said.
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