PLN accelerates power recovery after Flores earthquake

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28 minutes ago

Depok, W Java (ANTARA) – State electricity company PT PLN is accelerating power restoration across Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, after Saturday’s earthquake disrupted electricity supplies, with nearly all customers expected to regain service on Sunday.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said the utility mobilized all available resources immediately after the quake to restore electricity and support affected communities.

“I am in Labuan Bajo to handle the earthquake disaster on Flores Island. PLN teams immediately moved to address disruptions to the power system,” Darmawan said.

He said PLN was progressively restoring generators that had shut down, allowing electricity supplies to return and supporting economic and community activities after the disaster.

Eleven substations that had gone offline have been restored, accelerating system normalization and helping maintain reliable electricity supplies for communities affected by the earthquake.

Of 59 affected feeders, 58 have resumed operations, representing about 98.3 percent system recovery, PLN said.

The utility has also restored electricity to about 88 percent of customers and is accelerating repairs at remaining affected locations, it said.

Work remains focused on landslide-hit areas where several power poles collapsed, requiring repairs in stages before electricity supplies can be fully normalized.

Darmawan said he expected nearly all customers to regain electricity Sunday as PLN personnel continued intensive repair work across affected areas.

PLN reaffirmed its commitment to reliable electricity supplies through a rapid response, enabling residents in earthquake-hit areas to resume activities safely with dependable power.

Darmawan also expressed sympathy for earthquake victims and said PLN was working to accelerate power restoration for affected communities.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 47 deaths from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara as of 6:48 p.m. Saturday.

BNPB’s acting Data, Information and Disaster Communications Chief Berton SP Panjaitan said the deaths included 24 in Manggarai, 17 in East Manggarai, three in Sikka, one in Ngada and one in Ende.

“Beyond these victims, personnel evacuated and provided medical treatment to people injured in the disaster,” he said.

The earthquake damaged 157 houses severely, 41 moderately and 148 lightly, BNPB said, bringing the total number of damaged homes to 346.

Public facilities were also damaged, including 87 education facilities, 18 health facilities, five places of worship, six government offices and other public infrastructure.