REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the government is doing its best to mitigate the impact of the earthquake that hit Donggala District and Palu city of Central Sulawesi on Friday. Jokowi reviewed the Blora National Housing Complex as one of the regions worst affected by the earthquake, on Sunday.

"This is an emergency situation as many roads were cut off and airport was damaged. Electricity and fuel supplies are also disturbed. Roads are closed," Jokowi said.

The president who talked to the local residents hoped that all heavy and emergency equipment can arrive soon. Heavy equipment from Mamuju, Gorontalo according to him also has moved towards the disaster site.

"We pray that the heavy equipment will arrive smoothly tonight," said the President in a statement released by Deputy Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.

Bala Roa housing complex in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Sunday (Sept 30).

Regarding the supply of fuel oil (BBM), Jokowi estimated that in two days to come it will reach the location. Meanwhile, food and mineral water assistance was also hampered due to the condition of the airport which was not 100 percent ready to be used for landing by aircraft, he said.

"I hope the people would be patient, I know many problems that must be resolved in the near future, including relating to communication," Jokowi added.

In an official statement, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) explained that the power outages caused the communication network in Donggala and surrounding areas to be unable to operate because PLN's electricity supply was broken. There are 276 base stations that cannot be used.

Communication operators continue to try to recover electricity supply on an emergency basis. The Ministry of Communication and Information has taken steps to recover the broken communication.

Jokowi also said he would continue to follow every development related to the post-earthquake and tsunami disaster management. "I will continue to follow this. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses like this can be carried out after the condition is normal," said the President.

An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter Scale occurred in Donggala District which caused a tsunami. The disaster has damaged the flight traffic control tower at Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Airport, Palu City.

The commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said the President had used an airforce plane because of the condition of the airpory's runway.

"Only 2,000 out of 2,400 meter long runway can be used. Yesterday I also came aboard Boeing 737-400 with my entourage," he said.

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