Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Mitigation (BNPB) reported on Thursday that vital functions of infrastructures in West Sumatra province have almost been back to normal after the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred early this month, Antara news agency reported.

"Vital functions like water, electricity, traditional markets and schools are close to normal. Power is 80 percent recovered in Padang Pariaman regency and more than 90 percent in Padang City," said the head of BNPB Syamsul Maarif at the provincial capital city of Padang on Thursday.

According to him, authorities keep repairing power and water installations in the province.

"The governor also has instructed all related departments to fix irrigation network to prevent harvest failure," he said.

Related to education activity, he expected that it would be back to normal gradually next week.

According to Syamsul, to accelerate aid distribution to survivors, helicopters are being used by his agency to lift materials, the most needed goods are tents.

"It's hard to find family tents in Padang because we ran out of stocks. We have to get them from Jakarta," he said.

Syamsul said that BNPB still has 80 tons of supplies in Jakarta that are ready to be sent to Padang, including food, blankets and other necessaries.

Comments