Major Earthquake Shakes Flores as Epicenter Mbay Reels from Blackouts, Flight Cancellations, and Looming Supply Crunch

MBAY, Investortrust.id — A devastating earthquake struck the island of Flores, leaving the epicenter of Mbay and neighboring districts grappling with destroyed residential buildings, extensive blackouts, and critical supply bottlenecks.

Residents rushed out of their homes as persistent aftershocks shook the region, forcing families to sleep in open-air living spaces and set up makeshift emergency tents in front of their yards. In the Roe area, Sunday religious services moved entirely outdoors to church courtyards under plastic tarps to protect worshippers from structural collapse risks.

The sudden disaster cripples local supply chains and halts key logistical routes across central Flores. With primary transport hubs paralyzed and fuel distribution tightening, the economic fallout will demand immediate regional relief interventions to avoid severe humanitarian and commercial stagnation.

Transport Hubs Paralyzed and Flights Grounded

Aviation authorities shut down Ende Airport completely following reported structural damages across five regional airports in Flores, canceling all commercial flights into the area. By contrast, Soa Airport in Bajawa manages to remain open and operational to facilitate inbound traffic.

Ground transportation along the primary Mbay–Nangaroro arterial corridor remains passable and quiet, allowing initial emergency movements between municipal borders despite visible concrete fractures across local establishments.

Utility Failures and Fuel Bottlenecks Mount

Severe municipal power outages have cut off electricity completely across Mbay, preventing residents from charging mobile devices and maintaining basic contact. Telecommunications signals remain extremely fragile, with local networks flickering intermittently only when tapping signals routed from neighboring Ende.

Energy distribution points are feeling the immediate strain of panic buying. While the Aeramo fueling station continues selling Pertalite fuel in an orderly fashion, intense congestion and violent scuffles erupted among motorists queueing at the Danga fueling station.

Immediate Relief Operations Needed

Local disaster responders emphasize that supply lines must deliver survival provisions within hours to stabilize vulnerable communities. Bottled water and large water gallons represent the single most urgent supply requirement, alongside staple rice and shelf-stable proteins like canned goods and dried fish.

"I am still trapped right at the epicenter of the earthquake here in Mbay," said Donata Asta, a local resident attempting to reschedule travel while searching for operational power outlets in Nangaroro. Relief agencies are now mobilizing logistical corridors to route emergency shipments through open transit points before secondary supply shocks worsen.